“I think it’s really important for him to be surrounded by the people that love him,” Chrissy Rea says, “in order for him to know that we want him to come back, and we miss him.”
Chrissy Rea’s brother, Luke LeClere moved to Oregon from Iowa a year ago. She says it was the perfect fit.
“He’s a survivalist, and he just loves being outside.”
Luke was walking home from work last Tuesday night, when he was hit by a car. Police say, the driver never stopped.
“I can’t imagine just leaving someone on the side of the road to die,” Rea says.
Luke is in a coma at OHSU in Portland, suffering from a traumatic brain injury, fractures to his skull, broken legs, and ruptured organs. If or when he wakes up, he will likely require round the clock care. That’s why the family is hoping to bring Luke back to Iowa.
“I reached out to some of the non-profits, like Angel Flights,” Rea says, “and because of his acute state and the type of care he needs, they are not equipped to help.”
The family would need to hire a private air ambulance company to transport him, and that comes with a hefty price tag, but thanks to an outpouring of support on a crowd funding site, they’re making progress.
“I’ve just been blown away by the kindness, the prayer, the love sent.”
Police say it’s difficult to close cases like this unless someone comes forward, and Chrissy has a message for the driver.
“I don’t understand how you could just drive away and leave him that way,” Rea says, “he’s a person, he’s my little baby brother.”
If you were driving in the area of Demaray Drive and Redwood Highway on the night of August 23rd police want to hear from you, especially if you saw a car in that area with a broken windshield or damage. You can call Grants Pass Police at 541-450-6260.
Click HERE to visit the fundraising page for Luke’s transport.
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