GRAND JUNCTION, Mich. (July 8, 2014) — A deaf teenager in Grand Junction said that he is lucky to be alive after being struck by a hit-and-run driver last week.
17-year-old Jeffery Scott Franklin, or Scotty as he’s called, was riding his bike near his home last Wednesday when he said that a pick-up struck him.
Scotty said that he saw the truck swerving between the lanes on the road at about 6:30 p.m., and next thing he knew he was laying on the side of the road.
“I’m happy to be okay,” Franklin said.
Sally Goss said that last Wednesday she came outside after her dogs started barking. When she looked down her driveway, she saw Scotty on the grass.
“I didn’t know how he was injured and how much he was injured, and so he said a red car hit me, so my husband called 911,” said Goss.
Goss said that she stayed with Scotty until help arrived.
“This is a busy road and cars just fly down here. We had first responders, we had the ambulance, we had fire trucks, we had state police,” said Goss.
Goss said that Scotty’s father saw all of the commotion when he arrived home from work, since the accident was just up the street from his house.
“The dad came along. He saw all the traffic go by and he just had a gut feeling to come down and check, and he found out it was his son,” said Goss.
Scotty said that he saw the red pick-up truck that hit him, and said that the driver took off without stopping.
Both of the tires on Scotty’s bike were blown out, and have since been repaired by his father.
Goss hopes to get Scotty a new bike with mirrors to warn him of vehicles approaching from behind.
“Scotty has to be more careful. He can’t hear the people coming, so you have to be more careful to turn around and look,” said Goss.
Goss has posted on the internet, looking for anyone who would like to donate to a fund to help get Scotty a new bike.
Goss has known Scotty since he was a little kid. She said that his strength to get back on his bike is a testament of his determination.
“He doesn’t let a disability disable him. He takes what God has given him and he just lives a full life,” said Goss.
Scotty tells FOX 17 that the driver who hit him was driving a 2-door red Chevy pick-up. The driver is described as male with a dark beard. If you have any information about the accident, you are asked to call the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.
If you would like to donate to Scotty’s fund for a new bike,click hereto be linked to his fundraising page.
