Kenny Wayne Johnson, 22, and his cousin, Dwayne Cook, were driving from Bossier City, LA to Kentucky to visit family on the morning of February 17. The roads were still icy from the harsh winter weather. Johnson was behind the wheel and the boys were on I-40 in Dickson County when the unthinkable happened.

The truck hit a patch of ice in the roadway and spun out of control. The vehicle slammed into a tree, and the resulting wreck was so bad that first responders had to cut Johnson from the vehicle. Cook sustained minor injuries, but Johnson was airlifted to Tricare Skyline Hospital.

Sonia Montoya, Johnson’s mother, said “You go from everything is fine, to you get a phone call and he’s in the hospital.” She said the boys were fortunate that “There was a state trooper right behind them and pulled over right when it happened.”

Johnson was admitted to Tricare Skyline with spinal cord and vertebrae injuries. He underwent surgery on Thursday. Montoya said that her son’s doctors have told her that he’ll never walk again. Johnson is paralyzed from the chest down, but is conscious and able to use his left arm. His doctors are hopeful that with therapy, he’ll regain the use of his left hand.

Montoya stayed with her son at the hospital as long as she could, but had to return home for work. Under the Family Medical Leave Act, she’s eligible to take time off for her son, but she can’t afford to go without pay. Even spending weekends with Johnson until he’s released means three tanks of gas to get there and back.

Cook has been at his cousin’s side since the accident. Johnson could remain at Tricare Skyline for physical therapy for up to three weeks before returning home, after which he’ll need a rehabilitation facility. However, Johnson doesn’t have health insurance, so the family is faced with some formidable obstacles.

The family is in a difficult situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe account to help with Johnson’s medical expenses in the short term. To donate, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/mt56pk.