Freehold Photographer Out Of Hospital Following Brutal Attack

FREEHOLD, NJ — A professional photographer who was brutally beaten in the parking lot of his appartment complex and then run over with his own car in May has been released from the hospital as he continues his long recovery.

Jerry Wolkowitz, 56, was moved to an acute-care rehabilitation facility on Sept. 10, just over four months after the May 1 attack, Christine King, who spoke on behalf of the family.

Jamil S. Hubbard, 25, of Sayreville, who was arrested May 1 in what the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said was a racially motivated attack, is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge James J. McGann. He is charged with first-degree attempted murder, third-degree possession of a weapon (a motor vehicle) for an unlawful purpose and first-degree bias intimidation, Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in May. (READ MORE: Man Charged With Race-Based Beating Of Freehold Photographer)

Wolkowitz, a professional photographer who also has been a freelance photojournalist for more than 30 years, was found lying in the parking lot of his apartment complex with injuries to his head and body about 7:15 a.m. on May 1 by Freehold Township police.

Prosecutors allege Hubbard approached Wolkowitz from behind and punched him in the head and face before dragging him into the parking lot, then ran over stole Wolkowitz's car and ran over him with it, Gramiccioni said. Wolkowitz's car was later discovered abandoned on Bordentown Avenue in Sayreville, Gramiccioni said. Wolkowitz spent weeks in a coma before he was moved to the acute-care long term facility.

"He has a strong will to live," King said.

His medical expenses, however, are extensive. A GoFundme created in July has raised nearly $10,000 so far, she said, but the expenses as Wolkowitz continues his recovery will continue to grow. (READ MORE: Man Indicted In Bias Attack; Freehold Photographer Still In Coma)

King said there are two fundraisers that have been organized in November by the Freehold First Aid Squad, where Wolkowitz was a volunteer.

A Facebook page, Help for Jerry Wolkowitz, is providing up-to-date information on the fundraisers.

The first is a fundraiser at The Cabin in Howell from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. At that event, 20 percent of each check during those hours will be donated to help Wolkowitz and a second first aider, Chief Jeff Hoffman, who suffered "a life-altering medical emergency," multiple cardiac arrests and months of rehab, "resulting in substantial medical bills."

The second event is a spaghetti dinner scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Freehold First Aid, 18 Spring St., Freehold. There will be a 50/50 and gift baskets at the dinner.

The benefit organizers are looking for help, including donations of gift baskets, gift certificates, or monetary donations. Checks can be made out to Freehold First Aid and mailed to 18 Spring St. Freehold NJ 07728; put "Jerry and Jeff Benefit" in the memo field. Donations are tax deductible and a receipt can be provided for any donation of $250.

Donations of merchandise or gifts certificates can be either dropped off at the first aid building listed above or you can contact Noel Olivarius at 908-415-9261 or Bill Madden at 732-431-4261.

"We continue our daily prayer vigils and have to believe that a miracle can happen so that he may open his eyes and be with us again," Wolkowitz's twin sister, Goldie wrote in an early update on the GoFundme while he was still hospitalized. "Please continue to keep Jerry in your thoughts and prayers. Please let love win and not hate. Please let only goodness and kindness in as that is what Jerry would have done."

Click here to contribute to the GoFundme to help with Wolkowitz's medical and legal expenses.

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Photo courtesy of GoFundme, a Patch partner