By Steve Huffman
Salisbury Post
Family and friends of a young man injured in an ATV accident are asking the public for financial assistance.
Derrick Hagerman, 21, of Squirrel Run Road, was injured Feb. 9 when his three-wheeled ATV flipped and threw him against a tree.
Family members said the accident forced Derrick’s head into his spine and broke his back in four places. They said he’s in the intensive care unit at Charlotte Medical Center.
Derrick was taken by ambulance to the Hefner VA Medical Center, then airlifted to Charlotte Medical Center. If he survives, Derrick will be paralyzed for life from the chest down, according to family members.
“He’s very, very critical,” said Derrick’s aunt, Brenda Rose. “One minute he’s holding his own. The next, he’s taken a turn for the worse.”
She said Derrick remains in a medically-induced coma.
“They’re doing everything they can to keep this kid alive and give his body a chance to heal,” Rose said. “It’s a horrible situation. The family asks everybody to put up prayers for this young man.”
Family members said Derrick worked at Schult Homes in Rockwell and had insurance, though it won’t come close to covering the medical expenses his hospitalization will cost.
His parents, Virgil and Anna Hagerman, are staying at Derrick’s side at the hospital constantly. The couple has four children and one daughter.
“Derrick never caused anyone any trouble,” Rose said. “He was like an old soul in a young body. He always had a hug for everyone.”
Teresa Ferris is a neighbor of the Hagermans and agreed that Derrick is a wonderful young man.
“He’s like a son to me,” she said. “There was nothing he wouldn’t do for you.”
Derrick’s brother, Johnathan, said Derrick graduated from East Rowan High School in 2005 and played football there. Family members said that on the football field, he was known as “The Bus” because of his size.
“We’re doing the best we can,” Johnathan said of the family’s struggle to come to grips with the situation.
The Hagermans are members of Rockwell Church of God on U.S. 152.
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A fund to help offset the family’s medical expenses has been set up through Bank of America. Send donations to:
Anna and Virgil Hagerman for Derrick Hagerman, Bank of America, West 200 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144.nnn
Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222 or shuffman @salisburypost.com.