A father working in construction had part of his leg amputated after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on a Massachusetts highway early Monday. Law enforcement is actively pursuing leads to track down the driver.
David Wachinski, a Pennsylvania resident and father of two, was engaged in work on Interstate 95 in Foxborough around 2:15 a.m. when the incident occurred, according to Massachusetts State Police.
Wachinski had been attempting to install a sign when the vehicle hit him with such force that it shattered the car’s side mirror.
Following the accident, he was taken to Boston Medical Center for serious injuries. He lost part of his leg, though it’s uncertain whether the amputation happened during the surgery or the initial collision.
His wife, sister-in-law, and other family members traveled from Pennsylvania to be with him during his recovery.
“It was really scary. You just… you don’t know so much, or what’s going to happen next. He fought hard to survive, and he’s still in that fight,” shared his sister-in-law, Mina Thompson.
“He’s loved by many, and people have a lot of respect for him. It’s just so bewildering. Someone out there knows something. I can’t help but wonder if the driver is feeling guilt, or if they’ve confided in anyone,” Thompson added.
The Massachusetts State Police are investigating the case, focusing on a passenger side mirror found at the scene.
In a statement, police expressed their deepest sympathies to Wachinski and his family following the “senseless” incident. They noted that while he is expected to survive, his injuries highlight the risks of driving recklessly in work zones.
Thompson urged the driver to come forward, saying her family needs closure to move on.
“It’s never too late to admit you made a mistake. We just want them to step forward. People will always find out what happened, and the truth will come to light eventually,” she told CBS News.
Friends have set up a GoFundMe to assist the family with the loss of their main income and the rising medical and travel costs.
(“David is a devoted husband and a proud father of two wonderful boys. Everyone who knows him can see how hard he works for his family and how generous he is to others,” the organizers wrote.)
