65-Year-Old Father Severely Injured After Bike Accident On Way To Work

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — A 65-year-old father’s family is turning to the community for help after he was severely injured last week in a bicycling accident, according to reports.

Jorge Pareta Sr. of Reseda was headed Thursday to work at Trader Joe’s, according to KTLA, when he was hurt in Woodland Hills, NBC 4 reported.

A car made a sudden right turn, causing Pareta to fly over the vehicle and land head-first on the pavement, according to a GoFundMe started by his family. His heart stopped beating for 25 minutes, the GoFundMe said, but he was resuscitated and rushed to the hospital.

The crash left Pareta unresponsive, paralyzed from the neck down and in critical condition with a neck fracture, broken nose and brain swelling, according to the GoFundMe.

A spin instructor who loved cycling, Pareta took annual 50-mile rides in Mexico, according to KTLA.

“Cherish your parents,” his daughter, Camila Pareta, told the outlet, describing her father as goofy, loving and able to make anyone smile.

“Any issues you have with them, it doesn’t matter. Let it go and cherish them, hug them, tell them you love them. Life is unpredictable. You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Nothing’s promised.”

As of Tuesday evening, the GoFundMe to pay for Pareta’s medical expenses had raised more than $43,000 toward its $50,000 goal.