A “miracle” Lengthy Island cop who defied dying in a high-speed automobile chase earlier this 12 months obtained a $150,000 test from well-wishers Thursday — and he stated he’s “itching” to return to obligation.
Suffolk County officer and Military veteran Brendon Gallagher walked utilizing a cane at a information convention simply weeks after he spent 9 days on life help within the wake of the harrowing January crash.
“I’m comfortable. I’ll take it, you understand? I’ll take it,” Gallagher advised reporters contained in the Suffolk Police Police Affiliation constructing in Brentwood. “I’m itching to get again on the market … I can’t wait to get again to work.”
The cash was raised by means of an effort spearheaded by the PBA, Regulation Enforcement Officers Weekend and the Suffolk County Credit score Union.
“It simply reveals you the ability of neighborhood fundraising and the way in which that we will come collectively as a neighborhood right here in Suffolk County to help each other,” stated Louis Civello, president of Suffolk PBA.
Gallagher was left combating for his life after the January high-speed pursuit on the Lengthy Island Expressway, together with his restoration later known as a “miracle” by docs.
The officer was chasing a Ford Mustang going over 100 mph when Cody Fisher, the driving force of the Mustang, misplaced management and collided with Gallagher’s police cruiser.
The cruiser violently flipped off the freeway and into the timber, leaving him trapped inside and badly injured — bleeding out for 45 straight minutes earlier than lastly being airlifted to Stony Brook College Hospital.
His belly muscular tissues and pores and skin have been “utterly lacerated open,” in keeping with his physician, James Vosswinkel, including that Gallagher had additionally been affected by nerve harm in his legs and may have belly reconstructive surgical procedure.
Gallagher was positioned right into a medically induced coma.
After his wreck, these teams determined to arrange and put collectively a fundraiser for Gallagher on FundTheFirst.com — a Go-Fund-Me-esque web site for first responders.
They rapidly exceeded their preliminary purpose of $50,000 — then raised the bar to $100,000 earlier than reaching $150,000 in donations.
Regardless of his accidents, Gallagher advised The Put up he plans on donating a number of the cash to charity.
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