A “miracle” Long Island police officer who refused to die in a high-speed car chase earlier this year got a $150,000 check from a wealthy man on Thursday.
Suffolk County officer and Army veteran Brendon Gallagher walked with his cane at a press conference after nine days of life support following the tragic January crash.
“I'm happy. I'll take it, do you know? I'll take it,” Gallagher told reporters inside the Suffolk Police Association building in Brentwood. “I'm itchy to come back there… I can't wait to get back to work.”
The funds were raised through efforts led by the PBA, law enforcement officer weekend and Suffolk County Credit Union.
“It shows you the power of community fundraising and how we can come together as a community here in Suffolk County to support each other.”
Gallagher left a fight for his life after a January high-speed chase on the Long Island Expressway. His recovery was later called a “miracle” by the doctors.
Officers were chasing the Ford Mustang, which was more than 100 mph, when Mustang driver Cody Fisher lost control and collided with Gallagher police cruiser.
The cruiser was repeated violently from the highway, entering the tree, trapped inside and seriously injured. I bleed straight for 45 minutes before finally being airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital.
His abdominal muscles and skin were “completely torn,” according to his doctor James Voswinkel, adding that Gallagher also suffers from nerve damage to his foot, which could require abdominal reconstruction surgery.
Gallagher was placed in a medically induced coma state.
After his wreck, these groups decided to organize and put together a fundraiser for Gallagher at FundThefirst.com.
They quickly surpassed their initial goal of $50,000. They then raised the bar to $100,000 before reaching a $150,000 donation.
Despite the injuries, Gallagher told the Post he plans to donate some of the money to the charity.
