Zach Ricker's Road to Recovery

On the night of June 15, 2020, Zach Ricker came face to face with death and fought to the end, yelling "Not Today!". Zach was working with a trucking crew in Utah hauling bridge beams weighing in around 300,000lbs. The truck and trailer moved unexpectedly, knocking him off balance. His right leg and lower half of his body were pulled into the tires and he grabbed onto the fender, fighting for his life for what he felt like was an eternity. Zach was awake for this entire time fighting, with his 2 little girls flashing through his mind dragging him for 42 feet when the truck came to a stop. Zach survived, because of his sheer will power and determination to live and his belief in God! He said he never felt so alone as he did in that moment, but now knows that God and a guardian angel played a strong part in his survival. He was life flighted to a trauma center in Utah where they determined he sustained severe injuries to both of his legs. His left leg endured torn tendons/ligaments in the knee and 3 broken bones in his foot. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to save his right leg, having to amputate it just below the knee. He has had 2 major surgeries, and 2 blood transfusions. Zach is one of the strongest people we know and he will overcome this with time, but definitely has a long road to recovery. He will need at least 1 more surgery in the next few weeks on the amputation, extending his hospital stay up to possibly 2-4 more weeks, before he is able to return to North Dakota and begin his rehabilitation. We are so grateful to everyone who has placed Zach in their prayers this past week! The power of prayer is unbelievable!! But he is facing some financial hardship, not being able to work and also being so far away from home. He is going to need rehabilitation (whether inpatient or outpatient), a prosthetic leg, eventually a new form of transportation as well as needing to make updates on his current living situation. If you are willing or able to donate to help defer these costs, all donations will be used to help with any bills acquiring at home while he is in the hospital (such as rent, phone, ect) as well as any non-medical expenses he endures such as travel expenses. Our hope is to relieve some of the financial stress so that he is able to focus on getting himself better and being able to come back to North Dakota....home! Thank you so much and please continue to keep him in your prayers.
The Family of Zach Ricker