Good Samaritan Hit By Driver Faces Life Changing Injuries

MERRIMACK, NH — A man was seriously injured on Friday while assisting another motorist on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack.

Barbara Shamaly, the wife of the victim, said her husband, Mark Shamaly, was on his way to work when he pulled over to assist the motorist who had spun out in the center median.

"While walking over to the other vehicle, Mark was run down by another driver, leaving him with life-threatening injuries."

Shamaly was thrown about nearly 100 feet when he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene after hitting Shamaly. He sustained numerous internal injuries — including head trauma, a broken shoulder, pelvis, and numerous shattered ribs that punctured his lung, liver, and aorta where this injury needed to be stented.

The victim’s wife said, "The automobile driver did flee the scene, leaving my husband lying on the side of the highway, not knowing if he was dead or alive."

A New Hampshire DOT worker witnessed the accident and rushed to the victim's aid until responders arrived at the scene.

"Good fortune prevailed when the DOT worker who witnessed the accident stopped and helped my husband, literally saving his life. Thankfully, we are being told by the doctors that Mark will survive,” according to the victim’s wife.

In a GoFundMe post, the family said, "Watching this man suffer significantly for doing a good deed is so inhumane."

Late Friday night New Hampshire State Police arrested Jose Enrique Cruz Vasquez, 30, of Manchester. He was charged with reckless conduct-deadly weapon after a hit-and-run crash that left Shamaly fighting for his life.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news