Support for State Trooper, Tow truck driver struck by vehicle on Northway grows
COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Community support is now growing for a New York State Trooper and a Tow Truck driver who were injured in a crash on the Northway. NEWS10 spoke with the tow truck company and local firefighters about how the Capital Region is helping.
Justin Keyrouze, the Towing and Recovery Manager at Lussier’s Autobody & Repairs is a colleague of the tow truck operator who was hit near exit 7 on the Northway Saturday afternoon. “No one thinks that this can hit so close to home or to themselves. But this time it has,” said Keyrouze.
The Tow truck driver, Brett Dempsey, has been discharged from the hospital and is healing at home. He has a long road to recovery ahead, but friends have set up a GoFundMe to help support him while he's out of work. “It has since soared over that $6,000 goal, which they revamped that goal to $25,000,” said Keyrouze.
A local business is pitching in, too. “Ideal Nutrition has also made a new drink order called ‘The Move Over’, which is getting very good publicity,” said Keyrouze.
Trooper Nicholas Abbondola remains in stable condition at Albany Medical Center. In the QR code posted below, you can donate to the New York State Police signal 30 benefit set up to support his recovery.
The annual football game for charity between firefighters from Colonie and Stanford Heights will go towards support for both Dempsey and Abbondola. Colonie Fire Department Chief, Jeff Kayser said, “It's usually for Toys for Tots. This year the members wanted to change that up a little bit. Our guy wanted to do a toy drive for the tow truck driver who has four children and a boot drive for the trooper's family.”
That game will be held at Cook Park in Colonie this Saturday. Its free to attend but they ask everyone to bring a new, unwrapped toy or some extra money to fill the boots.
While the mood is hopeful that both the trooper and tow truck driver make complete recoveries, the crash is a stark reminder of the dangers they face when stopped with motorists on the side of the road. “So, we've been dealing with this concern for, like you said, a while there's been a tow truck operator from Tow-Away was hit and killed two years ago when he was attempting to tow a commercial vehicle. He was struck and killed by an intoxicated operator. And from this event, you have someone that was arrested and charged with DWAI, drugs. He was under the influence,” said Keyrouze.
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