HONOLULU (KHNL/Gray News) - A Hawaii resident has found himself in the hospital with serious injuries after trying to help a fellow driver who was involved in a crash.
Brian Gatdula says he was heading home from his job as a public transit service driver on Sept. 21 when he witnessed a crash on the H-1 freeway near Pearl City.
The 35-year-old stopped to help, but then he and three others were struck by another car.
Two of those hit were seriously hurt, including Gatdula, who said he could not feel his right leg after being hit by the vehicle.
“I thought I was going to die,” he said. “I was just panicking and screaming for help.”
Gatdula, who already had limited mobility in his right arm since birth, ended up losing his right leg.
Now, he fears he will need to give up his job as a driver.
“I know my place is a driver, that’s all I know,” Gatdula said. “From the situation now, I don’t think I could ever be able to drive and serve.”
Gatdula’s sister, Kristie Agnacin, has been visiting him in the hospital for the past two weeks and set up a GoFundMe to help cover his medical expenses.
“I just want him to get better. I want him to know that we’re still blessed because you’re still with us, you’re still here,” Agnacin said.
The crash has come after the family recently lost their father and an uncle.
Despite the season of suffering Gatdula has experienced, he is staying resilient.
“I don’t want anybody to pity, give me pity,” Gatdula said. “There are times I regret doing what I did.”
The 24-year-old driver who struck Gatdula did not need treatment and remained at the scene.
It is unclear whether speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision, and the investigation is ongoing.