Benefit Planned For Child Injured in Car Accident

Lives were forever changed in a matter of seconds Dec. 21.

Just after 5 p.m., Linda Feely was driving northbound on Highway 38 with her 3-year-old son, Patrick Beecher, when the car collided head-on with a southbound vehicle near the intersection with Brook Road.

Both were taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital. Both survived.

But now both face a new reality. Patrick, otherwise known as PJ, was paralyzed from the chest down and is expected to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

To help him out, a benefit is planned for Saturday, March 30 beginning at noon at the Blue Rock, 306 6th St. The event starts with a poker tournament, followed by food and beer at 6 p.m. and a DJ at 8 p.m. A silent auction will also be held.

Andrea O'Dell, PJ's neighbor, has known the family since she was a baby and is organizing the event. Since the accident, she and others have done what they can to help out, she said.

PJ has been home for about a month, O'Dell said. His mom is also recuperating, suffering injuries to both of her feet. That's made it a challenge to help her care for PJ at the same time, O'Dell said, as has the three-level house in which they live.

The proceeds from the fundraiser will be put in a trust fund for when he gets older, O'Dell said.

For more information on how to help the family, visit the benefit's Facebook page.