By Elisabeth Strillacci

elisabeth.strillacci@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY  — A 64-year-old disabled veteran is recovering at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem after his motorized wheelchair was hit by a passing truck Friday night.

According to family members, George Stuckey’s wheelchair was hit on the side of Faith Road near Aldi on Friday night.

“He was knocked into the ditch where he had life-threatening injuries,” said Stuckey’s daughter, Libby. “He’s hurt, but he’s alive. We’ve had so many people reach out to us in the community that were concerned. Very thankful to Salisbury police, Salisbury Fire Department and EMS for being so prompt. They really saved his life.”

Libby added that her father has a long road to recovery, but because of the hard work by first responders he is still alive.

His wife has multiple sclerosis, and he has been her primary care giver.

The couple have four children, Edward, Edmund, Libby and Elena, and Libby says the family is now trying to figure out to make sure they will both be taken care of while her father recovers.

“My favorite memory is going to the beach with dad,” said Libby. “He has always put my mom first. And the first thing he asked when he woke up after having emergency surgery was about her, despite him being as torn up as he is.”

Stuckey was in a bad car crash in 2006 that left him permanently disabled, she said. Stuckey served in the Air Force for two years and the Army for four years, and he has lived in Rowan County for 30 years.

After his time in the military, he was a corrections officer for years, Libby said.

A GoFundMe has been established by two of Stuckey’s children to help with care needs for both of their parents as well as travel expenses for the family to and from the hospital. You can find it here: https://gofund.me/bc4701d2

A police report on the incident was not yet available at press time.