He Served His Country Then Spent Years Struggling With PTSD

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – He was eager to serve his country. He wanted to help save the lives of the men and women who were putting themselves in harm’s way for America's freedom.

So, upon graduating from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey in 2008, Richard (Rick) Benson enlisted in the Army as a combat medic and was soon deployed to Afghanistan to tend to the wounded and dying while dodging the deadly crossfire of Taliban and Al-Qaeda bullets.

However, the man who returned home to New Port Richey following his tour of duty in the Middle East wasn’t the same man who eagerly signed up to serve his country all those years ago, said Benson’s sister, Alexandra Cooke.

At the age of 28, former Army Sgt. Richard Benson was nearly incapacitated with severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“He was still the brother who was always kind and generous, who wanted to take care of people, who would literally take the shirt off his back if someone needed it,” she said.

One of six children who never married, Benson was the favorite uncle, the uncle who attended his nieces and nephews’ ball games, taught them to play guitar and flew to California just to meet his newborn nephew.

At the same time, said Cooke, every day was a struggle for Benson.

Although he tried to return to his old life, even attending college to become a certified nurse, Cooke said he was haunted by what he’d seen and experienced in Afghanistan. He exhibited classic symptoms of PTSD – anxiety, flashbacks, guilt, unwanted thoughts, sleeplessness, hyper-vigilance and, yes, self-destructive behavior.

Cooke can’t say for sure that’s the reason for her brother’s death. But she’s certain his PTSD played a role.

Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, Benson was driving his 2015 Chevrolet Sonic west on State Road 52 near Emmaus Cemetery Road in Pasco County when his car veered across the center line into the path of a 1999 Ford SUV driven by Bobbie L. Pavy, 37, of San Antonio (see related story).

Benson’s car swiveled around when it struck the left front of the Ford and collided with a guardrail. Pavy’s car left the road and overturned.

Both Pavy and a passenger in Benson’s car, Patrick T. Harris, 20, of New Port Richey sustained minor injuries.

However, Benson was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in critical condition. He died of his injuries late Thursday night.

The Florida Highway Patrol ruled out alcohol and drugs as a cause. Investigators have no explanation why Benson’s car meandered into the oncoming lane of traffic.

“He suffered so much from PTSD,” said Cooke, unable to hold back her tears as she talked about her little brother. “At least, it’s a comfort to know that his suffering is over.”

While the military will pay for the cost of his grave marker and a 21-gun salute for Benson’s service, it falls to his family to fund his funeral.

Cooke, therefore, has set up a YouCaring Fund, an online crowd-funding website similar to Go Fund Me, to raise $7,000 for a Catholic funeral and burial.

Any remaining funds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, said Cooke.

Additionally, Cooke has contacted a medical facility in Boston to donate his brain and spine for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy. His other organs have been matched to those in need of transplants.

Arrangements for his funeral and burial have not been scheduled at this time.

Photos via Rick Benson’s family

Sgt. Rick Benson served as an Army combat medic in Afghanistan.

Rick Benson’s service dog, Charlie, will remain in the family.

Rick Benson escorts his sister, Alexandra Cooke, on her wedding day.