Shavon Strong: Hit-and-Run

Hi friend,

IT WAS A DAY WHEN YOU KNEW SOMETHING HORRIBLE IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE, BUT YOU HAVE NO IDEA THAT SOMEONE WILL BE YOU.

My lunch break turned into a nightmare. I experienced a trauma that left me physically and mentally challenged. Here’s the story.

It was what seemed at first to be a typical work day on June 23rd, 2022. As I logged out of my computer to drive home for lunch, I jokingly said to my co-worker Sean, “I’ll be back in an hour. Hold down the fort until I get back.” Little did I know I would be trapped inside my car in seven minutes.

I took my usual route home and stopped at the red light on the corner of 49th St. & 5th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, Florida. I sat waiting at the light, and everything was normal until I observed a car speeding towards the intersection with no signs of slowing down. At the same time, the light changed for the westbound traffic to proceed. I had a horrible feeling something terrible was about to happen, and I couldn’t bear to watch it. And just like that….I gasped…as I heard tires screeching, ending in a violent crash. It was instantaneous…a substantial white object flying came roaring towards me, and before I could process it, I felt the impact as the car landed on the front of my car with me trapped inside. I remember gaining consciousness and wondering why there was smoke filling the air. I heard a loud ringing in my left ear and realized the airbags had exploded in my face. Everything from there was slow motion, just like a movie!

“MA’AM…MA’AM, YOU NEED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR!” an unknown voice yelled through the window as I struggled to unlock the door. A man tried to pull me from the car. However, my leg was pinned between the dashboard and my seat, and my body was compressed in the console. After several tugs, I was free, but my body went one way and my leg another.

The ambulance ride to Bayfront Emergency Room felt like an eternity; unfortunately, the medication didn’t relieve the excruciating pain. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. After several hours, we were informed I had a broken Tibia, torn meniscus, and multiple bruises. The first of three procedures/surgery would be that night. The injury list grew to include soft muscle damage, PTSD, spiking blood sugar, unrelenting, excruciating pain, fear, anxiety, and sensitivity to light from the airbag impact. After the second surgery a week later, the realization of costly medication, PT, X-Rays, CT, and MRI scans, and inability to drive and work set in to exacerbate the situation.

For the next two weeks, I lay in the trauma ward, angry and confused, trying to figure out how my life changed in seven minutes. I didn’t want to hate the person who caused this accident, but I wanted justice to be served. When I arrived home, I had to sleep in my recliner for almost two months because it was the only place I could find comfort.

Now, what added insult to injury? It was a hit-and-run where the driver, who sped through the light and caused this accident, fled the scene on foot. The actual owner of the car was not deemed liable because their insurance policy only covered the owner, not the driver. This person has yet to be apprehended, and a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

I can say that after months of recovery, I’m slowly on the mend. My faith has kept me. I thank God daily for saving my life. To this day, I still struggle with stabbing pain, memory loss, and more recovery than I’d like to admit. My medical team has advised me that recovering will take at least a year.

Prayer, faith, and support of my family, friends, colleagues, church family, and neighbors have helped me through this difficult time. Many have asked how they can financially contribute to my ongoing expenses. Shavon Strong was created to support me with unexpected financial burdens, from purchasing a car and income loss to enormous medical bills.

Thank you in advance for your support, and God bless you.

Yours truly,

Shavon