TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – A Wichita woman is asking for community help after a hit-and-run put her brother on life support.
Amanda White said her brother, Richard Trask, was driving southwest on Wanamaker Road in Topeka when another driver failed to yield the right-of-way.
“The driver of a car failed to yield at a stop sign, pulled out in front of him, and Richard hit him at almost a dead 90,” White said. “The driver of the vehicle then took off and left my brother for dead.”
White says her family moved to Wichita from Topeka and that Richard was back in town visiting friends.
She tells KSNT News she’s been in contact with Topeka police, who are still looking for the suspect. Fortunately, White said a Good Samaritan stopped behind Richard, called 911, and stayed with him until help arrived.
“Thanks to that driver, Richard was able to go into surgery within an hour of the accident, which is why he’s still here today,” she said.
Even still, the crash left Richard fighting for his life with a traumatic brain injury.
“We are looking at months or years of recovery if Richard is ever the same again,” White said.
She described her brother as a 21-year-old who is just trying to figure out life, and his world revolves around being an uncle.
“He has several nieces and a nephew,” she said. “I have three little ones, and he’s a part of their daily life. So when he’s not working or working on his bike, he’s spending a lot of time with them.”
Richard’s sister said the bills had already started piling up, so she set up a GoFundMe to help her brother.
“I love him so much, and I know that he knows I’m always in his corner,” White said. “We talk pretty regularly. This has been pretty hard not to hear his voice and see him.”
To donate to Richard’s GoFundMe, click here.
