Swansea community helping man hurt in a wrong-way car crash. See how much they've raised.
Hundreds of people have anted up to help a Swansea man hurt in a head-on car crash on Swansea Mall Drive last week.
A GoFundMe started by Josh Tucker has raised nearly $22,000 in three days – just shy of meeting its $25,000 goal.
According to the listing, the fund benefits his brother Tristan Tucker, 20, who on Jan. 18 was hospitalized with serious injuries after his car was struck head-on by another vehicle going the wrong way on Swansea Mall Drive.
“Any donation made will go directly towards costs related to medical, his education at MTTI (because he is not working), lawyer fees, and his overall well-being in these times," reads the listing.
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What happened in the Swansea Mall Drive incident
According to police, Timothy Couturier, 53, was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Swansea Mall Drive just before 8 p.m. when he crashed his vehicle into a car driven by Tristan Tucker head-on.
Swansea firefighters had to use hydraulic tools to extricate Couturier from his vehicle. He was taken to a hospital in Providence with serious injuries.
Tucker’s car caught fire while he was inside. Police officers pulled him from the burning wreck.
Tucker’s brother Josh wrote on his GoFundMe page that Tristan’s injuries are substantial, including a brain bleed.
“Tristan's brain was swelling too much, and they needed to act fast, so they removed half of his skull to alleviate pressure,” he wrote. “Within the next few hours, his brain stopped swelling! His left femur is broken, his left forearm shattered, right ankle is broken, and his face is badly swollen. Tristan is in an induced coma for less brain stimulation but is responding to family talking.
"All great signs but a very, very long road ahead,” he wrote.
Couturier was arraigned from his hospital bed on Jan. 19 on several charges, including operating under the influence of liquor, causing serious bodily injury and negligent operation; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license; operating a vehicle on the wrong way of state highway; and failure to notify RMV of name/address change.
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Community and co-workers empty their pockets to help
According to social media posts, Tristan’s fellow employees at Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Swansea started a collection for his medical bills. Tristan was on his break during a shift at the time of the accident.
“He is only 20 years old with his whole future ahead of him,” reads a note posted to the Five Guys counter in part. “We are donating 100% of our tips to him & his family to support them through these times.”
As of Tuesday night, the GoFundMe has raised $21,800 from 306 donors – including a $500 donation from MTTI in Seekonk, where Tristan is studying computer tech and networking.
“He has a deep affection for the outdoors, a keen eye for photography, a love for all things related to video games, a fond devotion for hanging out with his friends and being a shoulder to lean on," his brother wrote.
Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: GoFundMe helping Swansea man hurt in wrong-way car crash
