LI Mom's Plea For Help With Son's Medical Bills After Devastating Crash

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Island mom is desperately seeking help with raising money for the continued recovery of their son, who was struck by a vehicle on Sunrise Highway while changing a tire back in August.

Jesse Mangan, 18, of Mastic was changing a vehicle tire on the shoulder of the road in East Patchogue at 7:14 a.m. on Aug. 7, when he was struck and suffered serious injuries, Suffolk police said.

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He was taken to NYU Langone – Suffolk in East Patchogue for treatment, and no one else was hurt.

The investigation is continuing with the 5th Squad in Patchogue.

So far, his family has raised $22,526 as part of a GoFundMe.

"I am starting this fundraiser for my 18-year-old son after our lives changed in an instant," his mother Vanessa Mangan wrote on the page.

Her son was on his way to school, when he hit a pothole and safely pulled over near Sunrise Highway and Route 112 to change a tire, she said.

"The impact caused severe polytrauma and left him in the surgical intensive care unit," she said, adding that he suffered multiple devastating injuries, including fractures to his maxilla, occipital bone, right hand, ribs seven to 12 on both sides, as well as his hip, sacrum, tibia, ankle, and foot.

He also suffered lacerations to his lungs, kidneys, and spleen.

"Complications also led to hematomas and pooling blood in his right lung, requiring a chest drain," she said. "He has already endured four surgeries, with four more still pending if no further complications arise."

Her son is also facing possible permanent nerve damage to his right leg, according to Mangan.

"We know his recovery will be long, but we still do not know how long it will take before he can be mobile again," she said.

"As his mom, I never imagined I would be on the other side of a fundraiser for my perfectly healthy child's livelihood," Mangan said, adding that the funds raised will help with transportation to medical appointments and rehabilitation, modifications to his living space to accommodate mobility limitations, and caregivers and help with daily activities when needed.

Her son will also need physical and occupational rehabilitation, psychological therapy and emotional support, medical equipment and supplies, recovery-related living expenses, and medical and rehabilitation expenses not covered by insurance.

The fundraiser will also cover any unexpected costs that arise throughout this "long recovery," she said.

"Our Long Islanders came together when my son was lying hurt on the road, and now to see strangers coming together to be part of the aftermath and his recovery is beyond words," Mangan said. "We are profoundly grateful for the support, prayers, and compassion shown to our family, and for the camaraderie that will bond all of us for a lifetime."

"If you are able to help in any way, whether by donating or sharing this fundraiser, thank you from the bottom of my heart," she added.