WATCH ABOVE: Earlier this week Edmonton police made a plea asking anyone who may have seen a couple struck by a vehicle to come forward. Eric Szeto talked to one of the victims is about the crash, and the crowdfunding efforts to help him on his road to recovery.
EDMONTON – Michael Nault faces a long road to recovery. A shattered elbow, shattered knee and busted leg mean the 27-year-old will have to learn to walk again. Emily, his girlfriend of three and a half years, is in even worse shape – the 22-year-old is in a coma with critical injuries.
The two were walking home after grabbing food on the evening of Monday, Dec.15, when a car plowed into them in a marked crosswalk on 98 Ave. and Terrace Rd. in southeast Edmonton.
“Just flying, landing my back. I didn’t know if I was alive or not. I could feel myself choking on blood.”
Speed and alcohol weren’t factors in Monday’s collision, but Edmonton police said distracted driving might have played a role. Earlier this week, police asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward.
Read more: Police search for witnesses after pedestrians hit in southeast Edmonton
Nault needs multiple surgeries. In the best-case scenario, he will be back on his feet in about six months. In the meantime, he’s out of work indefinitely.
To ease the financial burden, friends and family have started GoFundMe campaign for the couple. As of Saturday evening, donors had pledged over $1,600.
Nault said he is grateful for all the support and that he is lucky to be alive. “I was always a pretty positive person, but I’ll probably be ridiculously positive now,” he said.
“I’m so grateful for everything.”
*Editor’s Note: As requested by her family, we have not included Emily’s last name in this story.*
Comments