Tragic Vacation Incident Involving University of Alabama Student
A student from the University of Alabama, who is also the son of a retired New Jersey State Police Chief, has reportedly endured severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures, after a fall while vacationing with his family in the Caribbean.
A GoFundMe page established for Matthew Polaski and his family shares a heartbreaking message: “What was supposed to be a fun time together quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.”
According to the GoFundMe page, Matthew and his family—Mike, Steph, and his brother Evan—were enjoying the holiday in the Dominican Republic while he was home for winter break. Unfortunately, on December 28, Matthew suffered a critical head injury after the fall. He was taken to a local hospital where emergency surgery was performed to relieve the pressure on his brain and save his life. As of now, he remains in critical condition and is in a medically induced coma. Once his condition stabilized, he was moved to a Miami facility for continued care.
The specifics of the fall remain unclear. The University of Alabama has been contacted for comments regarding the situation.
Matthew is described on the fundraising page as a “hard-working, respectful young man with a deep passion for gymnastics.” He had just begun his journey at Alabama, joined the Sigma Pi fraternity, and had big dreams ahead. His parents, as the page notes, have been a steadfast support system, attending numerous competitions and college visits to help him pursue his passions.
An update shared on the GoFundMe page mentioned that Matthew sustained a skull fracture, a pelvic fracture, and a lumbar spine fracture. In a glimmer of hope, medical staff have reduced his sedation and found that he responded to chest stimulation, with both arms and legs showing movement. The update expressed a particularly emotional moment for his mother when Matthew moved on his own, opened his mouth, and grasped her hand. One can only imagine how many tears were shed at that moment.
The Robbinsville, New Jersey police department has confirmed that Matthew’s father previously served as the police chief.
As for the financial aspects, Matthew’s medical costs incurred in the Dominican Republic are nearing $75,000, as outlined on the GoFundMe page. The expense for international medical transport is estimated to be between $35,000 and $55,000, and with limited insurance coverage, medical costs in the U.S. are likely to escalate quickly. This is just the start of what seems to be an overwhelming journey for the Polaski family.
