On the long road to recovery
Area pedestrian on mend after suffering serious injuries from hit-and-run at SPAC
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Last month after a concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Jeremiah Loeffler and Pam Gericke-Agard crossed west-to-east on South Broadway and West Fenlon Street when a vehicle struck both before it kept on driving.
Loeffler had minor injuries, but the same couldn’t be said about his girlfriend, Gericke-Agard, who spent two weeks in the ICU at Albany Medical Center before returning home Sept. 6 where she’s under 24-hour home care with family and friends.
Gericke-Agard, 31, suffered lacerations to her head and liver, a bleeding brain that required a pressure monitor, a fractured left knee, right arm and spine, multiple fractures to the pelvis and a low-functioning left eye.
On Wednesday, GerickeAgard said she expects a full recovery with physical and occupational therapy, but it’s a long road to recovery as Gericke-Agard will be out of work for a while.
Her family and friends set up a Go Fund Me page to help with the medical bills.
“I can’t adequately express my gratitude to the people that are helping me out through this tough time,” Gericke-Agard said. “We are overwhelmed by the continued support we have felt. I appreciate everyone who has donated.”
It’s been a difficult past few weeks for Gericke-Agard.
“Jeremiah and my mom have been by my side sleeping at the hospital from the beginning. I finally came to understanding what had happened on Aug 31. I cried all day,” GerickeAgard said. “We are very lucky to be alive and have such a wonderful support system.”
The couple has been together for two-and-a-half years after meeting at their close friends’ wedding where they both were in the wedding party. Agard said their relationship has been wonderful.
At the end of August, police sent several releases about the incident, which remains unsolved. Police said officers are seeking a dark colored SUV, believed to be black, with gold New York license plates.
The SUV is a mid-sized style which has been described as somewhat “boxy,” police said. The SUV additionally has some type of shiny chrome-style trim on the back half of the vehicle and the rear window is tinted, police said.
The SUV should also have damage to a front headlight and directional.
“Please come forward and do the right thing,” said Gericke-Agard about the person who struck her and her boyfriend.