"Lucas exemplifies what it means to simply be alive to the fullest," the GoFundMe shared.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on August 30, 2022. It has since been updated.
A Sheriff’s Deputy from Anderson County in Knoxville, Tennessee has woken up after he spent 23 days in a coma. Sheriff’s Deputy Lucas Shoffner is awake nearly a month after he and his wife Nicole Shoffner, were hit by a vehicle on August 1, 2022. The couple was trying to fix a chain on a miniature motorcycle when they were hit by a pickup truck, according to WATE.
Nicole underwent a head CT and x-rays at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Lucas, however, had more serious wounds and was taken directly to the University of Tennessee Medical Center's intensive care unit. According to authorities, the vehicle that struck the Shoffners' was a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado which was being driven by an off-duty Campbell County Sheriff’s Office deputy named Raymond Surber. Lucas was in a coma ever since he was taken to the hospital, but is finally awake after almost losing his life.
A GoFundMe set up to raise funds for the injured couple revealed what exactly happened.
Lucas Shoffner; Help for a Hero https://t.co/in5sh68BbP Please check out this go fund me for my brother and pray for my family.
— Loganfoody (@loganfoody) August 5, 2022
"Lucas and Nicole were struck by a full-size pickup truck while they were attempting to repair a chain on a small dirt bike. Nicole was struck and luckily escaped with only a small fracture in her hip and a lot of road rash. Lucas, who percent saved Nicole’s life by shoving her to the side, took most of the vehicle strike. He was left unconscious on scene and subsequently taken to UT Trauma."
"He’s currently in TICU and has been diagnosed with a brain bleed, a fractured skull, multiple facial fractures and has a blood clot in the main artery in his neck. Currently, they have intubated him and placed a central line in him as well as a “bolt” in his skull to help relieve inner cranial pressure. This is our biggest prayer at the moment. If the inter-cranial pressure reaches a certain threshold, they will have to perform more invasive interventions. At the moment, however, and as no surprise, our warrior is holding strong."
"Lucas is not an ordinary man. Lucas has served his country faithfully in the United States Army, his community fearlessly as a Sheriff’s Deputy, and still continues to serve in a contracted capacity. He truly is a red meat-eating, Harley-riding, God-fearing, American-loving, gun-slinging, wife-adoring, patriot. Lucas exemplifies what it means to simply be alive to the fullest," it continued.
“Nicole’s sister, Chandler beautifully adds, “If anyone knows Lucas and Nicole, they know how much love they have for one another. They are the perfect example of strength, commitment, compassion and unconditional love. Both of them are such special people with tender, kind hearts. God is holding both of their hands right now. Please pray for the both of them, especially Lucas as they fight for their healing and strength. They both have a long road of recovery ahead of them and any amount of time they can spend healing together, without worry, is precious time. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I love you both more than words.”
Update:
After 40 days at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Sheriff’s Deputy Lucas Shoffner recovered and moved out of the intensive care unit, reported WVLT.
References:
https://www.wate.com/news/anderson-county-news/east-tennessee-deputy-wakes-up-from-coma/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lucas-shoffner-help-for-a-hero
https://www.wvlt.tv/2022/09/11/anderson-co-deputy-injured-crash-out-icu-into-recovery-facility/
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
