LETHBRIDGE- In January 45-year-old Lorne Miller was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike home from work. This was a day that would forever change the lives of his family and friends.
Miller has been in a Calgary hospital ever since and Global News has now learned he has been moved into a palliative care facility in Lethbridge.
Friends and family are now bracing themselves for the worst.
Tim Carter works at Average Joe’s Sports bar, where Miller worked as a cook. He is in shock about the change in his friend’s condition, “Our hopes were up, they aren’t anymore.”
Miller was struck and critically injured by a vehicle while on his way home from work January 26th and has been fighting for his life ever since.
“It’s the worst news we could have got. We were definitely hoping for Lorne to make some sort of recovery, to have some sort of quality of life and it just doesn’t look like that’s how it’s going to be,” adds Carter.
Miller was moved from a Calgary hospital to St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit. His family is by his bedside but are bracing themselves for what’s to come after doctors told them he may only have a few days left to live.
Global News spoke to Miller’s sister Candace Van Diemen who says, “We are spending every moment we have with Lorne and someone is with him at all times. We so appreciate the love, support and prayers from across southern Alberta for Lorne and our family. Lorne has been a fighter holding on for dear life but his body can’t handle all of the injuries.”
His sudden decline in health comes just two months after family was given a glimmer of hope. At the end of February, Miller was out of a coma, responsive to his family and able to move his head.
“We know he is a fighter and he has fought hard but this has been really devastating for all of us,” adds Carter.
There’s been an outpouring of support for the father of four and his family.
A number of fundraisers have been held and people continue to rally for Miller.
“For me this whole outpouring of caring and affection from the community was pretty much unprecedented, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. I would like to thank everybody who said a prayer for Lorne, or came in and gave money or whatever they did to support this man and his family. We want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” added Carter.
Now with the change in his condition, those close to the family say they’ll need the community now more than ever.
30-year-old Edward Mikla is facing charges related to the hit-and-run.
He is scheduled to be back in court May 14th.
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