A college student from Texas is fighting for his life after suffering severe burns in an incident involving an alleged drunk driver, as reported by various news sources and authorities.
Nineteen-year-old Aidan Poole was en route to Texas Tech University on I-27 when his vehicle was struck by Thomas Rich, who is accused of driving under the influence. The impact caused Poole’s car to become airborne and resulted in his gas tank exploding, igniting the vehicle in flames, multiple local reports indicate.
The devastating accident has left Aidan with extensive second and third-degree burns, as reported by KVII.
Rich has been taken into custody by the Hale County Sheriff’s Office and faces charges of intoxication assault, according to the same outlet.
Kristi Poole, Aidan’s mother, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “You never want to hear your child in pain, and seeing all his burns is something no parent should witness.”
In an emotional moment, she recalled Aidan asking, “Do you know if the people in the Porsche are okay or if they’re alive?” reflecting his concern for others despite his own injuries.
Aidan’s girlfriend, Jadzia, was at her job when she received the shocking news about the horrific crash.
“When I got the call, I could hear chaos in the background: sirens, Aidan’s cries, the wind, everything. I was just in a state of shock,” she recounted.
Aidan, a sophomore studying Physics, is now hospitalized in a burn unit, battling severe injuries and life changes, with the help of a GoFundMe campaign that has been established to assist with medical expenses.
He is expected to undergo multiple surgeries to address the “catastrophic injuries,” as stated in the fundraiser.
“Aidan is also dealing with significant trauma and PTSD due to this incident,” the campaign noted.
Described as an “honors student,” Aidan is known for his selflessness, kindness, intelligence, and charming sense of humor.
His family, who resides near Lubbock, is temporarily relocating to be close to the hospital, facing considerable expenses associated with travel, medical care, and replacing items lost in the accident.
As of Sunday night, the GoFundMe for Aidan had raised over $40,000 towards a target of $45,000.
Kristi has expressed a desire for justice for her son, stating, “[The other driver] didn’t have to do this. He must take responsibility for his actions—this shouldn’t have happened. There was no reason for it.,” as she mournfully shared with reporters.
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