Support Elvin's Recovery After Hit-and-Run

At about 5:10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, my brother-in-law was on his way to work from Godfrey to East Alton on his motorcycle. (Trying to save on gas $$ just like the rest of us.) He stopped at a red light on 140 at the entrance to the rock quarry. While stopped another car came down the hill from Alton, hit him, ran the stoplight, and left the scene. The impact of the car flipped the bike out from under him so that he landed on his lower back and then hit his head on the pavement. (Thankfully, we live in a state with a helmet law.) There were no other cars around until another car came down the hill from Alton, and she just happened to be a nurse. She stopped and called 911 for him as he was still lying on the pavement in an active traffic lane. He was taken to Alton Memorial where they determined that he likely had a fracture in his spine. After being transported to Barnes to receive care from specialists, the spinal fracture was confirmed, and he was fitted for a brace and released Wednesday evening.

Fortunately, he was not hurt worse than he is, but he will not be released to go back to work for at least six to eight weeks depending on how quickly he recovers. Currently, he has to have help with EVERYTHING (my poor sister), and he cannot walk without a walker. Tracey has now missed almost a week of work and may miss more. We are hoping that Elvin will at least get something through short-term disability from Olin, but they are going to need help to get through this. Many of Tracey’s friends have offered to help in any way they can. This is what they need right now. Anything you can pitch in would be so, so appreciated.