Help with medical expense for Dr. Benefield

Updated on February 21, 2024:

On August 26, 2023, Dr. Thomas Scott Benefield was struck by a car at a high rate of speed while out for an early morning bike ride. While Scott was wearing a helmet, a high visibility reflective vest and had both a headlight and tail light on his bike, the woman driving the car struck him on a straight and flat stretch of road. After striking him, she sped way without calling 911 or rendering any aid. Scott was thrown off his bike, across the shoulder and landed off the road a substantial distance. Thankfully another motorist saw what occurred and called the police. Charges against the driver were filed and she ultimately pled "no contest" to them on February 20, 2024. She never issued an apology.

Dr. Benefield is my brother in law and one of the absolute nicest people I've ever met. He's the father of seven children from grade school age to one recent college graduate. He is a pediatrician and the only one in his entire county in Tennessee. He's married to my sister Samantha, who works as his office manager. The entire family is extremely involved in the local community and their church where Scott regularly takes on leadership roles.

Scott suffered a traumatic brain injury to due to the collision as well as numerous fractures and lacerations. He was unconscious for days, spent months on life support and went into kidney failure requiring him to be put on dialysis. Along the way he's fought pneumonia and several infections.

His bones and cuts have healed. He has since regained consciousness and just ended his dialysis as his kidneys are in recovery.

His biggest challenge now is recovering from his brain injury. Scans of his brain show healing but he will have to relearn how to walk, speak and eat.

The next big step in Scott's recovery will be for him to be transferred to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, they specialize in brain injury treatment and have an outstanding record of success. Since the collision he has been in Nashville, about an hour and a half in driving distance for his wife and kids to come visit him. This move to Chicago will put obvious physical and financial strain and logistical challenges upon Scott's family.

The auto insurance available to assist with medical bills and expenses were exhausted early on. While Scott has health insurance, many co-pays, non-covered medical expenses, travel and lodging for his family to visit, and other costs have and continue to be incurred by the family - not to mention Scott's loss of income.

Prior to this collision, Scott was an avid runner having completed marathons and countless other running events. He was the organizing force behind a local 5K run through his church. Last year, I along with a few of his friends, encouraged him to get into cycling and he took to it immediately finding a true passion for riding.

During the summer of 2023 together we completed a 50 mile ride, his longest ride yet. A few weeks later he and his family came to visit me in Illinois and he joined me in competing in early August in the Naperville Sprint Triathlon, his very first triathlon. He loved it so much he and I had several conversations after about other races we could do together.

Since this tragedy occurred I have had the chance to connect with several of Scott's friends and the parents of many of his patients who have told me how much he is loved by the local community. They are all praying for him. People have shared stories of Scott going above and beyond to help them, including opening his office on Easter Sunday to treat a young patient.

Scott, Dr. Benefield, has selflessly helped so many people over the years, now he and his family could use a little help.

I have partnered with Angelic Kindness, a local 501(c) to assist me in collecting donations for Scott's medical expenses. Donations made here through GoFundMe will be paid directly to Angelic Kindness, and they will in turn assist the family directly.

Donations can also be accepted separately via check, or any other method you feel most comfortable with. They can of course be given directly to the family as well.

Whether you know Scott and his family and simply want to help, you're disgusted by this heartless person and what they did, or you want to support me in my effort to raise money to support him and his family, please help if you can.

Continued prayers are of course needed and accepted.

Scott's progress can be followed on a daily basis, thanks to Samantha, via Caring Bridge which you can find here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/scottbenefield But please DO NOT make donations via Caring Bridge. Those donations go to support the website, they do not go to Scott or his family.