Beachwood's Gerry LaCrosse Is Definitely On The Mend

BEACHWOOD, NJ - Gerry LaCrosse wasn't even supposed to be out of the hospital until September.

But Saturday, the popular owner of the Wunder Wiener hoped to be at the Beachwood Community Day to accept donations raised by local police departments to help him recover from the devastating accident that nearly took his life on June 11.

"I feel really good," LaCrosse said in a telephone interview with Patch. "And here I am, at the end of August."

LaCrosse, 75, went home recently after some time in a rehab to continue his recovery from the brutal accident. He suffered multiple injuries and severe bleeding after a vehicle plowed into his business off Route 9 in the old Beachwood Center early that morning. He was airlifted to the trauma center shortly after the accident.

He was on a ventilator for almost a week before he was taken off it and moved out of intensive care.

He has months of rehab and physical therapy ahead of him. His wounds are still healing. His shoulder is still "very bad."

"But hey, think of the alternative," he joked.

The day of the accident was LaCrosse's day off. But he often stopped by to drop off supplies for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, he stopped by earlier that day then his usual time, He hopes to rebuild Der Wunder Wiener, a food stand he operated for more than 30 years

SubscribeRebuilding the Wunder Wiener probably won't happen until sometime next year. He will need permission from Berkeley Township to rebuild in front of the defunct shopping center, which Berkeley now owns, he said.

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The community has rallied around the popular businessman and public official ever since the accident.

A gofundme accountwas set up for the family to help with expenses five days ago. As of Saturday, $11,714 had been raised out of a $15,000 goal. If you would like to donate, click here.

Photo: Courtesy of gofundme.com, a Patch promotional partner