Stand with Sam: Healing After a Tragic Crash

Dear friends and family. With Sam’s permission I am able to post this gofundme.

Sam’s story

December 31,2024 @550pm Sam was hit on Highway 100 in Villa Ridge a mile from home. Sam was going westbound running an errand with permission to use the car. While just getting onto 100 and starting to accelerate an 82 year old man driving a mini van started having chest pains and accelerated crossing the middle line hitting Sam head on going @ 80 mph. As far as we know the elderly couple are ok.

Sam was in Traume ICU for 2 days on a ventilator then transferred to Trauma step down. where he is now. They are taking great care of him at Mercy Hospital on N Ballas Rd. He is welcoming guests.

Sam’s injuries:

#1 broken jaw- surgery completed 4 plates 16 screws and missing most from bottom teeth. only able to eat puréed foods liquids and this stuff called JuVen it is a protein meal supplement that promotes healing.

#2. Left humerus (upper arm) open fracture fixed during surgery. Reset and radial nerve reattached with cadaver nerve will take 200@ days for repair then in 1 year will possibly need a second surgery on it for graft to promote use of left hand. Until then left hand has lost mobility.

#3. R/l wrists fractured along with thumbs. Surgery is 1/15/25.

#4. Had both lungs partially collapsed fixed able to breathe on his own

#5. Spleen had a laceration healing on its own

#6 both femurs (thigh) bones fractured left was a open fracture. And had to be debriefed and reattached to his knee cap with ligaments multiple more surgeries to come.

#7 r knee cap broken

#8. Both tibias broken left one has a rod in place due to open fracture

#9 r ankle broken still pending surgery

sam is not allowed to put weight on either leg for 2-3 months he is non weight bearing to make sure everything heals so he is wheel chair bound.

we have obtained and r picking up 1/18/25 most of his equipment that we were able to get donated through stlhelp. Highly encourage donations of un- needed equipment to them they r life savers.

we are still needing an electric lift chair for Sam’s 6ft height so his feet don’t hand but we will take anything at this point.

transportatoon will most likely be through OATS transportation for md appts etc. I believe they take donations Jose and I figured he will have many md appts and outpatient therapies when he is cleared for out patient therapy. sam cannot get into the truck because he can’t bend his knees so he has to keep legs straight in wheelchair.Jose is taking off a few weeks of work to be able to help with Sam too.

We just wanted to make sure everyone has the correct story and if able to help with anything it is greatly appreciated. Thank you for all the prayers Sam is grateful and talks to the Chaplin daily as he requests. He is grateful to be alive.

Love and Thanks