GoFundMe organized for Oakville man run down by car
Published July 25, 2022 at 5:15 pm
A local councillor has started a GoFundMe drive for an Oakville man who was struck after trying to slow down a car on his street.
The fundraiser, organized by Ward 5 Regional and Town Councillor Jeff Knoll on behalf of Jeff De Luca, has already raised $7,050 of its $10,000 goal as of Monday afternoon (July 25).
De Luca is currently in Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital recovering from broken ribs, a broken vertebrae, a broken pelvis, a broken left arm, damaged lungs and heart and a damaged kneecap.
“The biggest problem that my doctors and nurses are having is trying to control the constant pain and agony that riddles my body,” De Luca said in an update on the GoFundMe page. “I try to hide this from my circle of family and peers, but honestly I am having a really hard time due to constant pain.
“I feel that the incredible staff that is working with me finally has a handle on my pain management.”
Neither De Luca, who is a builder, and his partner, Leah, are currently working as she helps him get through what is certain to be a lengthy and exhausting recovery.
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The money raised will help them make ends meet.
“Jeff and Leah need our support, and we are well on our way to our $10,000 goal, but I learned today that for Jeff to return home in four weeks, he would need his house upgraded to accommodate a wheelchair,” said Knoll on the Gofundme page. “So I am urging everyone to donate what you can and please share this story far and wide.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on July 9 in the Oxford and McCraney neighbourhood of North Oakville.
A vehicle was speeding on the street and De Luca said he went out to slow down the driver because of the danger presented to kids.
Following an argument, De Luca said he was struck by the vehicle causing him to hit the windshield and roof of the car before landing on the pavement.
De Luca had been celebrating his partner’s daughter’s 17th birthday earlier that day.
“I have been terrified about the future and the situation that I have put my family in,” he said on the fundraising page. “Wondering how I can support them. Due to the GoFundMe (that Knoll has organized) and our community has so generously supported, I may have breathing room to try and heal, both physically and mentally.”
Nicolai Tindiris, 20, has been charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
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