Augusta University nurse severely injured by car while riding his bicycle
AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) - An Augusta University nurse is in the hospital with multiple life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike to work two weeks ago. FOX 54 spoke with him from his bed at Augusta University Medical Center.
John Hekker has been working at AU Health as a nurse for two years. Considering the extent of his injuries, he says he is thankful for the road to recovery. "Surgery on both my arms... thumbs"
As an AU nurse, Hekker enjoys getting up and heading to work to serve and care for his patients. "I live like three miles from work, from AU health." He rides his bicycle to work daily. At least, he did. On Feb. 24, the unexpected happened. Hekker collided with a car that Richmond County authorities say was at fault for failing to yield while turning. Hekker was rushed to the hospital.
"They gave me lots of blood, injuries were extensive, I'm lucky to be alive."
Multiple injuries all over his body. From his fingers to his fractured hips, to his brain bleeding and several teeth being knocked out.
"It's uncomfortable just laying here, hour after hour." While he's spent many nights in the hospital recovering, he says visits from his family members have kept him going.
"We've all just really been involved in bicycling and cycling through our dad and we were planning a trip coming up to go to Croatia and it just kind of hardened our life basically so, it's not shocking it happened, but it's just sad," says Hekker's daughter, Brooke.
Despite the incident, Hekker says riding his bike is near and dear to his heart; and as soon as he is healed, he's hoping to ride once again. He tells FOX 54, he is expected to make a full recovery in the next two and a half months. To help pay for his medical bills, his family created a GoFundMe that is currently near $2,300 of its $8,000 goal.
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