Luke Zimmer-Good Samaritan Hit and Run

Hi, my name is Kristen and I am asking for help for my friends Luke and Michelle Zimmer.

UPDATE ONE YEAR LATER: (FROM Michelle (12/22/23) December 22nd… One year ago today… one year ago today, I thought I had lost my husband and best friend forever, when I got a call that you never want to receive. I was mentally preparing how to tell our kids that Daddy wouldn’t be home on Christmas, and that when they did get to see him next, he potentially was paralyzed for life after being hit by a car.

My head was spinning with thoughts and fears, hopes, prayers and postulates that everything will come out alright, in the end. With everything going on for the holiday, I had to work so hard to keep my mind from going to the dark side, and just try to stay in the moment for the sake of our kids.

Between then and now, I cannot believe how much love and support that has occurred from all of our friends, family, neighbors, and church members. From cooking us meals, or donating to our Go Fund Me account, or shoveling and plowing whenever it snowed. I don’t know what makes me tear up more - thinking about how amazing our tribe is, or the fact that I’m immensely thankful that Luke has been recovering so well

Fast forward one year and Luke has come so far. His leg and foot remain partially numb, and he still doesn’t have the strength or balance that he once had. Therefore he can’t do the type of work he used to do, of climbing up ladders and working on chimneys, BUT we are so damn thankful that he is able to do basic activities around the house and go for short walks along the creek with the kids, etc.

We have continued to count our blessings every day, through the good days and the bad and we want to thank all of you for your continued support, through thick and thin.

YOU GUYS have kept us going.

So you better believe that we are having a redo on Christmas this year!

Sending lots of love and hugs to all of you and we hope you all ALSO make it a wonderful holiday. And let’s all make HUGE goals for 2024!! I know we are!!

Xoxo,

Michelle & Family ❤️

UPDATE: (FROM MICHELLE 2/7/23) Hello everyone, I wanted to take a second and update you all on Luke's progress. He is doing wonderful and gaining more balance and continuing to recover every day. In fact, he made a video to give you all a special message from him to you personally. We hope you like it!

So, his lacerations under his bum and the spinal incisions are healing nicely. His ribs are still broken but he can feel them now, so that's good! His tailbone remains broken which makes sitting for long periods a bit tricky BUT his spine is healing nicely so we are counting our blessings! His Neuro surgeon said last week that we should be able to take the brace off at the end of March and see if the 4 rods, surrounding the bursted vertebrae, are taking hold alright or not. If things look good, then he can begin getting his strength back! His left leg is still numb but gets random sensations from time to time so that's good because it means it's healing!

He has upgraded from a walker to a quad-cane which he is proud of! And although his left leg tends to buckle when he's not being super careful, his physical therapist has been having him practice being able to walk independently for short periods during his sessions!

As a family unit, we are doing okay. We're definitely thankful for our friends, family and worker's comp, to help us get through all of this. Luckily our medical bills have been covered so far which has been a blessing. But a special thanks to all of YOU who have helped with your donations, love and support. We are beyond thankful and just know that your donations have helped cover our bills since we are living off of half of what we were making previously, which hasn't been easy. But with your help we have been able to pay down our debt, so that there's less monthly demand, and to help pay for the kids to keep them busy and in sports, so that there's some form of normalcy for them, in all of this.

We will continue to update you all, and thanks again for all of your love! Just know WE LOVE YOU TOO!! ❤️

ORIGINAL POST: On December 22, Luke was driving on the freeway and saw someone stuck in the snow on the side of the road. Because he is such a fantastic guy who loves to help others, he decided to stop to help her putting himself at risk. In the process, someone crashed into his truck, HIT HIM and then hit her car. This person then took off and never stopped to see if he was okay. It happened so fast that no one was able to get the driver's license plate number. Luke was rushed to the hospital and when the doctors heard what he had done to help another, got him into surgery immediately upon his arrival at the hospital. During his 8-hour surgery, it was found that he has damage to his lower spine and vertebrae, some broken ribs, a laceration, and a fractured spine. The doctors were able to accomplish what they had hoped in the surgery. They fused 3 vertebrae with rods and thankfully stabilized Lukes's condition. Luke is expected to be in the hospital for the next week and then go to a rehab center for up to 3 months. He will be in a body cast during this time to minimize movement while his spine heals.

It is uncertain at this time how much mobility he will get back. We are postulating and praying that he recovers better and faster than expected.

The funds raised will be used for Luke's medical bills which will be extensive as he does not have health insurance. It will also cover their monthly bills and other expenses until Luke is able to go back to work, which will be many months from now.

I know that Luke and Michelle have many warm friends and family that will want to help them. When something like this happens I know the natural instinct is to help. I would like to take away any financial worry for them so they can focus on getting Luke fully recovered so he can be back with his family. Anything you can donate to help will go directly to Luke and Michelle and I know will be greatly appreciated!