Father Fights For Life After Motorcyclist Fleeing Police Hit Him

JACKSON, NJ — Eric Larson was heading home to his fiancee and their two daughters the night of July 5 when his life — and theirs — was turned upside down. Now, friends and family are trying to raise money to help the family as Larson continues to fight for his life.

Larson, 24, was critically injured in a fatal motorcycle crash, simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. As Larson pulled out of Oak Drive, turning left onto South New Prospect Road, his car was hit broadside by a motorcycle.

The motorcycle's driver, Anthony Griffin, was fleeing a Jackson Township police officer who tried to pull him over less than a minute earlier, after Griffin ran a red light. As he sped up to try to escape the patrol car — the Ocean County prosecutor's office said the police officer was going 82 mph as Griffin sped away out of sight on South New Prospect Road — Griffin rounded a curve and hit Larson as he pulled out.

The impact of the red 2004 Yamaha 999 on the driver's side door of Larson's gray 2008 Hyundai Elantra brought the car to a stop on the shoulder, facing north on South New Prospect. Griffin was killed. The prosecutor's office said Griffin, who had a lengthy history of motor vehicle violations, did not have a license to drive a motorcycle, which is a separate endorsement in New Jersey. (Read more: Man Killed In Jackson Crash Lacked Motorcycle License: Prosecutor)

Larson was critically injured and taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he continues to battle his injuries, authorities said. It is expected to be a long and expensive recovery, friends said.

"Eric Larson was in a tragic accident July 5, 2018 that left him in critical condition in the hospital holding onto life," the friends wrote on the GoFundme campaign set up to help Larson and his fiancee, Taylor Bromberg.

It addition to the medical bills, the couple is now without a car, leaving Bromberg unable to get to her job, friends wrote.

"Not only is money needed for Eric’s medical bills but also to put food on the table for his girls and pay bills while he is unable to," the friends wrote.

Bromberg additionally set up a fundraiser through Facebook but is aware of the GoFundme, she said on Facebook.

The GoFundme had raised $9,200 of its $50,000 goal as of Saturday afternoon. Click here to donate.

"He is the father and stepdad to two beautiful little girls. Right now his family is clinging on to every moment with him," the campaign said. "We ask for your prayers while Eric recovers!"

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Photo via GoFundme, a Patch partner