By Laura French
BILLERICA, Mass. — A Massachusetts paramedic who was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle last Sunday has received an outpouring of support and donations from his community.
Billerica Paramedic Brian McSweeney, 35, was on his way home from an overnight shift on Jan. 31 and had stopped at a Starbucks when a car went over the curb and hit him, pinning him to the building, according to Boston 25 News.
McSweeney lost a lot of blood during the incident, according to family friend Kara Oliinyk, and doctors performed emergency surgery to save his severely injured right leg. McSweeney, a fitness enthusiast who is always willing to help others, according to Oliinyk, remains in the hospital and is facing a long recovery.
Oliinyk launched an online fundraiser to assist McSweeney and his family with medical bills, which raised more than $30,000 in four days.
The driver of the car that struck McSweeney, a 40-year-old woman whose name was not released, faces a charge of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and was also issued a ticket for parking unlawfully in a handicap space, police said.