"Update on Brad:

Overall, today was a better day.  When we arrived this morning they removed Brad's breathing tube.  That's fantastic news!  We were able to communicate and he was alert.  It was pretty special.  However, this means that they reduced the sedation.  He was very uncomfortable and confused.  The pain is much more noticeable and intense.  It's gut wrenching to watch someone suffer like this.  Brad has no recollection of what happened which is too be expected.  The bigger issue is his short term memory.  It felt like every 30 minutes he would ask where he was and why he was there.  With all the trauma, it's tough to judge whether that will continue or fade with time.  We pray his short term memory will return and this is not a sign of bigger issues.   The staff continues to take X-rays of his chest on a regular basis to examine his collapsed lung and ensure he is not developing pneumonia.   The chest tube is still in.  They did suctioning on him to clear his throat in lungs - not a very fun process.  His heart rate was up above normal levels but not too concerning at this point.  Like everything else, they have to monitor it.  He has more fractures in his face than we originally thought.  Swelling throughout his entire body seemed to worsen.   The most disheartening part of the day was his frustration.  It's tough to rexplain to someone over and over again a traumatic event they have suffered.  The emotions are flowing. 

The best part of today was explaining to him the support he has from the community!  We were telling him how many "likes" and comments people were leaving on his update from yesterday.  We also showed him how many views some of the artilcles on him had received.  It truly brought that smile back to his face for a short time.  It was awesome to see.  It got to the point that every time we explained the accident, I would go back through all the Facebook post to ease the pain!   My brother Donnie mentioned yesterday that Brad will love to read all this at some point and it could not be more true!  Brad would always joke with my mom and say "Champs a pretty big deal."  My mom said today, "I think he may be right".   Please keep the prayers coming.  Tomorrow is a new day.  Our hope is that each day is better than the one before. 

Tomorrow I am going to create a page that is dedicated to his recovery.  I started to do that tonight and realized I didn't know what I was doing.   Want to make sure we get it right.  If I am able to do it, I will post it on here.

Thanks again to all of you.  Brad needs your prayers.
 

-Mickey Fritz"

Just seen the guy that hit him bonded out again $250000. 

My wife mentioned this isn’t this guys 1st DUI, can anyone confirm? If it’s not his first I think he should be in jail until his hearing. I’m sure  its an emotional reaction from me, but this is wrong.

11 hours ago, Breds82 said:

My wife mentioned this isn’t this guys 1st DUI, can anyone confirm? If it’s not his first I think he should be in jail until his hearing. I’m sure  its an emotional reaction from me, but this is wrong.

 

11 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Just seen the guy that hit him bonded out again $250000. 

Correct. Sad deal. See below. 

 

Community 'waving back' to beloved NKY man after he became victim of second suspected drunk driving crash

More than $100,000 has been raised online, and hundreds of people attended a Crestview Hills restaurant fundraiser on Wednesday

 

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — A Northern Kentucky man known for waving to drivers from his wheelchair is receiving overwhelming support from the community after being hit by a suspected drunk driver.

Brad Fritz was struck on Turkeyfoot Road last Tuesday by a suspected drunk driver. 

Police charged James McGillicuddy with OVI and assault. McGillicuddy was initially out on a $10,000 bond, but it was raised to $250,000 on Tuesday.

The incident marks the second time Fritz has been the victim of a crash involving a suspected impaired driver. When he was 15, Fritz was injured as a passenger in a car crash where a friend who had been drinking was behind the wheel.

He’s made the incident his life’s work. Fritz speaks with local youth about the importance of driving sober.

 

According to a Facebook post by Fritz’s brother, he was discharged from the ICU to a rehab center earlier this week, but the pain is still substantial.

“The broken ribs and surgically repaired arm are the major drivers,” Fritz wrote.

 

The community has responded with an outpouring of support for the man many know as "Champ."

At Niceley’s Appliance Repair, over 100 people have visited to trace their hands on a piece of paper. It’s a symbol of waving back to Fritz, said owner Jeff Niceley.

"We came up with the idea of people tracing hands and sending messages to him," Niceley said. "This is what we can do back for him, let him know that he means something to us."

A card drop-off box is at the front desk during business hours. The box is moved to the front door overnight.

The Erlanger Fire Department also showed their support with a special bouquet of cardboard hands, each with a personalized note.

A fundraiser at Wings and Rings in Crestview Hills drew large crowds throughout the day, with attendance surpassing even their busiest Bengals game days.

"I've worked here for four years, and I'm sweating," said Lillian Ramsey, a hostess at Wings and Rings, only a few minutes into the lunch rush.

The restaurant at noon was completely packed. And while those crowds were good for business, Ramsey said seeing the community’s support is personal: "I actually have experienced Brad myself. He's awesome. He comes in and sits at the bar, or he mingles with all of the people, the customers, the staff here."

One of those people is Amy Paige of Erlanger. She fought back tears while speaking about Fritz.

"I don't think Brad's going to give up, because he is so strong. He's one of the strongest people that I know," Paige said. "Everybody should get out here and support Brad Fritz right now."

Outside of the restaurant fundraiser, the community has already raised over $100,000 through GoFundMe to support Fritz's recovery.

Despite his pain, Fritz's family said he remains in good spirits. When his brother called him a "walking miracle," Fritz corrected him, saying he's a "rolling miracle."