Beloved ‘Wheelchair Waver’ critically injured by alleged drunk driver — decades after similar tragedy left him disabled

A beloved Kentucky man, recognized for waving at passing vehicles from his wheelchair, is combating for his life after being struck by an alleged drunk driver — practically 30 years after an analogous crash left him disabled.

Brad Fritz, affectionately often called the “Wheelchair Waver,” was hospitalized Tuesday night time with life-threatening accidents after he was hit by a pickup truck on the identical Edgewood intersection the place he usually sits and cheerfully gestures to vacationers on the highway, based on native stories.

The 41-year-old’s household stated he suffered an “in depth listing of accidents,” together with a number of cranium fractures, a collapsed lung, a fractured pelvis, quite a few damaged ribs and a damaged arm that surgeons wanted to rebuild with rods, plates and screws.

“It’s intestine wrenching to observe somebody endure like this,” his father, Mickey Fritz, wrote on Fb, noting that his resilient son additionally sustained a number of lacerations and bruises to his face and physique.

“Essentially the most disheartening a part of the day was his frustration. It’s robust to reexplain to somebody again and again a traumatic occasion they’ve suffered. The feelings are flowing.”

Brad, additionally recognized locally as “Champ,” was initially intubated and sedated earlier than medical doctors eliminated his respiration tube Thursday. His father is now involved along with his short-term reminiscence, noting that his son has “no recollection” of what occurred to him however is overjoyed by the group’s help.

Fritz was a 15-year-old varsity soccer standout at Covington Catholic Excessive College in Park Hills when a drunk driver slammed right into a automotive he was in with buddies in 1999, based on the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The crash left him with a traumatic mind harm, confined to a wheelchair and in a coma for 3 months.

He has since devoted his life to educating younger individuals concerning the risks of impaired driving.

“If there may be one factor about Brad, he’s a fighter,” his father wrote on Fb.

“He all the time reminds us that he’s Champ. He absolutely is deserving of that title right this moment.”

Police have since arrested James McGillicuddy in reference to Tuesday’s devastating incident — the third time he’s been caught with an open container in his car, prosecutors stated.

He was charged with working a motorized vehicle underneath the affect, possession of an open container in a motorized vehicle, assault and prison mischief, the outlet reported. 

“After he was arrested, they discovered circumstances of beer and an open alcoholic beverage container that was nonetheless chilly to the contact,” Kenton County Commonwealth’s Legal professional Rob Sanders stated. 

“This is the reason driving impaired is so harmful, as a result of it solely takes one time to have tragic penalties.”

The reckless driver reportedly posted a $10,000 bond and is due again in courtroom on July 15.