A beloved Kentucky man, known for waving at passing cars from his wheelchair, is fighting for his life after being struck by an alleged drunk driver — nearly 30 years after a similar crash left him disabled.
Brad Fritz, affectionately known as the “Wheelchair Waver,” was hospitalized Tuesday night with life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a pickup truck at the same Edgewood intersection where he often sits and cheerfully gestures to travelers on the road, according to local reports.
The 41-year-old’s family said he suffered an “extensive list of injuries,” including multiple skull fractures, a collapsed lung, a fractured pelvis, numerous broken ribs and a broken arm that surgeons needed to rebuild with rods, plates and screws.
“It’s gut wrenching to watch someone suffer like this,” his father, Mickey Fritz, wrote on Facebook, noting that his resilient son also sustained several lacerations and bruises to his face and body.
“The most disheartening part of the day was his frustration. It’s tough to reexplain to someone over and over again a traumatic event they have suffered. The emotions are flowing.”
Brad, also known in the community as “Champ,” was initially intubated and sedated before doctors removed his breathing tube Thursday. His father is now concerned with his short-term memory, noting that his son has “no recollection” of what happened to him but is overjoyed by the community’s support.
Fritz was a 15-year-old varsity football standout at Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills when a drunk driver slammed into a car he was in with friends in 1999, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The crash left him with a traumatic brain injury, confined to a wheelchair and in a coma for three months.
He has since dedicated his life to educating young people about the dangers of impaired driving.
“If there is one thing about Brad, he is a fighter,” his father wrote on Facebook.
“He always reminds us that he is Champ. He surely is deserving of that title today.”
Police have since arrested James McGillicuddy in connection with Tuesday’s devastating incident — the third time he’s been caught with an open container in his vehicle, prosecutors said.
He was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, possession of an open container in a motor vehicle, assault and criminal mischief, the outlet reported.
“After he was arrested, they found cases of beer and an open alcoholic beverage container that was still cold to the touch,” Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said.
“This is why driving impaired is so dangerous, because it only takes one time to have tragic consequences.”
The reckless driver reportedly posted a $10,000 bond and is due back in court on July 15.
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