Jeffrey Yusko of Wainscott hamlet was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital after being hit by a van not far from his home on Friday, May 5, his son Tyler Yusko wrote on a website GoFundMe campaigns.
“We had police knocking on our front door, and it turned our lives upside down,” Yusko said.
His father, a “top salesman” at PC Richard & Son appliances store in Southampton, suffered serious injuries in the crash, including brain swelling and bleeding.
He also suffered three fractured ribs, a fractured sternum and eye socket, and a fractured tibia. He has been intubated and unresponsive since then and remains in critical condition.
When Yusko’s family arrived at the hospital hours later, they didn’t know if he was dead or alive, his son wrote on GoFundMe.
“Seeing him in that moment is one we’ll never forget,” Yusko said, noting that it was in stark contrast to his typically positive, happy and fun demeanor.
“He was always on the move, living life to the fullest, doing everything he could for his family and friends,” Yusko said.
“Seeing him like this: unresponsive, with a machine helping him breathe and a tube pumping blood from his brain is a sight none of us were prepared for.”
Shortly before the crash, the elder Yusko brought pizza to his wife — a kindergarten and first grade teacher at Winscote School — who was recovering from a broken ankle in bed.
“While Mom was eating pizza, Dad changed into his cycling clothes, which consisted of track shorts, a colored T-shirt, and a helmet. He started cycling, taking the same route every day,” recalls Yusko.
“He was wearing a helmet on the bike lane and was hit by a van as he was starting to ride.”
It was not immediately clear whether the driver of the van was stopped or would face criminal charges.
All funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be used to help his mother pay for her mounting medical bills, as well as necessary travel and physical therapy, Yusko said.
“Jeff has a long way to go and any donations would be greatly appreciated,” Yusko said, adding that the family was “very grateful for the quick response from bystanders, police and first responders.”
As of Wednesday, May 24, the campaign has raised more than $56,000 of its $250,000 goal.
Those wishing to support the GoFundMe campaign can do it here.
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