Fundraiser Set Up for Soldier Hit by Truck

Photo: Nicolas Laboy lays in a hospital bed. A fundraising goal of $50,000 has been set up for the soldier.

On the morning of July 3, Plainfield resident and U.S. Army 416th Theater Engineer Command Spc. Nicolas Laboy got on his motorcycle and headed into work at the corporate offices of Aldi where he works in IT. But a tragic accident stopped him from getting there.

Laboy was struck by a truck. His spleen, liver and kidneys were all lacerated and he is experiencing internal bleeding from all three. His left leg, right hip, right shoulder, right clavicle and nose are broken. He has blood pooling in his brain and he has severe burns on his right side. Laboy is currently in a medically-induced coma.

There’s no knowing when he will get out of the hospital and his family and friends are asking for help.

Network Plans Officer Luc Roy set up a Go Fund Me campaign to help Laboy keep a roof over his head and make any modifications to his house that might be needed once Laboy is released from the hospital. The goal is to raise $50,000.

Because Laboy was not on duty when the accident occurred, he does not have full medical coverage, but the fundraising campaign isn’t geared toward that.

“Hopefully we can raise more than $50,000 and we can help with medical bills and stuff,” Roy said. “But right now, I was kind of hoping insurance would kick in and take care of most of that, but it definitely won’t take care of his salary and a place to live.”

Roy has been to the hospital every day since the accident. He’s hoping for a full recovery, but until Laboy is taken out of the coma, he won’t know for sure how severe and long-lasting the injuries will prove to be.

One thing that stays in Roy’s mind was something Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton had told him occurred after the accident when Laboy was still conscious.

“He was amazed at the amount of injury that Nicolas was in, the pain he was in, and there was only one thing on his mind - that he needed to take care of his mom,” Roy said. “His mom had a heart attack and can’t work and he kept saying, ‘I need to supply for the family.’ That’s all he talked about the whole time.”