'On God's Time': Family Seeks Community's Support As DUI Crash Victim Fights To Recover

SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A South Chicago Heights family is still reeling, nearly three months after a crash that severely injured a husband, father, and grandfather.

On Jan. 5, Harley Garrett, 50, was driving home from his job as a Local 150 Operating Engineer, when a driver blew a red light at Joe Orr Road and Dixie Highway, hitting the driver's side door of Garrett's car, his wife said. First responders resuscitated him on the scene, and his injuries were extensive: bruises and lacerations over much of his body, nine broken ribs, a collapsed lung, six fractures of scapula, tibia and fibula both shattered.

Jen Garrett can still picture the bruising she witnessed as her husband laid hospitalized.

"I’ve never seen a human with that many bruises, as dark as they were," she told Patch.

Chicago Heights Police with the South Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team investigated the crash, which also claimed the life of the other driver's passenger. The investigation resulted in charges of reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm, aggravated DUI with a revoked driver's license, and aggravated DUI with no insurance for driver Dangelo Ridley.

Meanwhile, Garrett fights to recover. His injuries left him largely immobilized—a blow to the family he provides for, Jen Garrett said. Family friends started a GoFundMe to help offset the impact.

"He’s the bread winner," Jen said. "All that has come to a halt."

Jen, who is a hairstylist, has cut back her hours to support Harley in his recovery. The couple has five children and two grandchildren, with one on the way, Jen said.

"He feels lost," Jen Garret said, on the emotional and mental toll it's taken on Harley. "PTSD kicks in for him. When he closes his eyes, he sees the truck coming for him."

Jen struggles to manage her own heartbreak over it.

"I try to make sure my kids don’t see me break down," she said. "Obviously it’s not his fault, but I’ve never seen him cry so much. He knows he’s on God’s time now, because he’s got a second chance at life."

As of early March, Garrett is still regaining his ability to walk. His hand remains broken, along with his ribs and a fractured shoulder. A rod has been placed in his leg to aid in its healing.

"He's mentally and emotionally damaged," Jen said.

"It's really just affected everything."

After some setbacks, Garrett is now home and enduring ongoing physical and occupational therapy. The GoFundMe for the Garrett family has raised $6,500 to-date.