Chattanooga man survives crash but his life is altered

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – A man who nearly died after being hit by a car is finally out of the hospital but his life will never be the same.

WDEF was on scene when Quentis L. Bonner, 20, of Chattanooga left the hospital. The soon-to-be father of two children barely walks and his mind is not the same.

"He has brain damage. His leg is broken. He’s been through several surgeries. He’s had a clavicle repair. He’s had open heart surgery," said Bonner’s grandmother, Chonipa Williams.

In mid-March, Bonner was walking along Workman Avenue when he was struck by a car. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Now that he is out of the hospital, his grandmother says he still has flashbacks about the moment he was hit.

"He actually told us that he can see the car and feel the impact," she said.

Bonner’s family said he was full of life before the incident, now he’s a man with injuries so bad that his mother, Detricia Baker, must take care of him.

"He has to be on watch 24/7. Anywhere he stands up and goes, I have to go because he’s not able to really walk yet or think for himself," Baker said.

Baker and Williams are now leading an effort to make sure more areas near Alton Park have sidewalks.

"It’s a possibility that someone else might get hit so we want sidewalks; not only just on Workman Avenue but throughout our community," Williams said.

A spokesperson for city councilman Chris Anderson said the city is planning to build more sidewalks in the area but it may take until the end of the year before more sidewalks are in place.

Since Bonner was injured, his family has racked up expensive medical bills and are asking the public for help. For more questions about how to help, call Dr. Elenora Woods at 423-313-3888.