On Jan 15, 2025 tradegy struck when tractor trailer driver Vince Cooley, Philipsburg, PA had the accident every big rig drivers, spouses & family members dread. A 35 year veteran driver with no accidents, Vince was 30 miles from home that night. To avoid a collison with a car that suddenly cut in front of him, he swerved. Sudden swerves with a trailer can be dangerous & his load shifted. The truck flipped on its side and Vince slid along the road with his trailor spewing produce and his mind focused only on keeping his head away from the steel supports of the cable guard rail that kept coming his way. When the truck finally stopped, the car that caused the accident, a blue tesla, never stopped and left the scene. Although it was late at night, witnesses were there and were critical in getting immediate attention and relaying what happened. Miraculously, an off duty first responder lived by the scene and quickly admimistered a tourniquet to Vince's left arm before parademics arrived. The arm that was protecting Vinces head was partically amputated. Vince would have died at the scene if the neighbor had not come to his aid. That realization is humbling, overwhelmimg, and a very somber grounding to experience. Vince was airlifted to UPMC trama center. He had lost conciousness. The brachial artery was severed. He was in pain beyond what the mind can imagine. He needed to be stablized and just survive. However, the medical staff were also moving quickly to save the arm. After numerous surgeries in those first 2 weeks, fighting infection is now the key concern. A special machine to clean the wound is needed. He could have gone home days earlier, but there were no technicians trained to run this equipment adding to his hospital bills. While circumstances were not going his way that night, being under the care of UPMC trama center was one thing that did go his way. The staff there has been outstanding. Vince survived and was released to home care in alittle over 3 weeks. He should be able to keep what remains of his arm, but now faces months of recovery and many more plastic surgeries. Of course, medicall bills are now piling up and causing tremendous concern but an even more devastating situation was created because the morning of the accident, Vince's wife cancelled their health insurance to purchase a new plan. While the initial insurer should be responsible, (the accident happened before midnight and in the middle of the month) they are trying to deny claims and look for another company to be responsible. Legal expenses will now have to be added ontop of the medical ones. Meanwhile, the Tesla that caused the accident has not been located and finding it does not seem to be of concern to authorities. Vince is self employed, owner operator and the sole provider for his family. The truck is totaled and there are uncovered expenses from the vehicle and load insurers. He is not earning income and the medical bills for his care are astronomical. In fear and worry about the mounting financial crisis, he recently stated that he wished he went with his truck. His family and friends feel otherwise and want to rally for his suppprt. Despair is setting in. Life is not fair, but this is an oversized portion of UN-fair and is beyond the family's ability to absorb. We would be so grateful for whatever support you are able to provide. Thank you.

Shawna Hutton, sister-in-law