Bucks Co. Family Endures Hardship For Second TimeLesley Van Arsdall
BUCKS CO., Pa. (CBS 3) ―
23-year-old Jesse Cartilage and his family have been through a lot in the past year and a half. We first met Jesse in July of 2006 after he gave his kidney to his older brother Shane who suffered with diabetes. Then last year Shane died.
Since then Jesse has formed a tribute band to his brother to raise money for Juvenile diabetes. He had just finished performing at the Road house bar in Bristol Township two weeks ago and was riding his motorcycle home when he was hit by a truck.
"I don't remember anything I remember pulling up to the red light hit and then waking up in the hospital," Jesse Cartilage said.
Police say he was dragged for almost 300 yards and was lucky to be alive.
"It was a human being ...you stop. I was laying there and I was still alive ...This could have been the second time our family could have had a tragedy," Cartilage said.
After two weeks in intensive care and eight surgeries, doctors are still unsure if Jesse will ever fully recover from his injuries.
"When we sat there and thought back at all we went through with Shane. This was our first trip back to the hospital and it has been really hard for us, the whole family took it really hard," Jesse's father Paul Cartilage said.
Police say the man who hit Jesse has turned himself in and told police where in North Philadelphia he went to get rid of his truck.
"He will be charged with an accident involving death or serious in jury which is essentially leaving the scene of an accident which is a felony in Pennsylvania," Sgt. Chuck Burns Bristol Township Police said.
The 35-year-old suspect will be charged later this week.
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