College Student Suffers ‘Catastrophic’ Burns After Being Hit by Alleged Drunk Driver on His Way to Campus

A assemblage student’s life has been dramatically altered owed to “severe and life-changing burns” he suffered aft being deed by an alleged drunk driver en way to campus.

Aidan Poole, 19, was driving connected I-27 successful Hale County toward nan Texas Tech field connected Sunday, Sept. 7, erstwhile nan incident occurred, News 13, ABC 7 and KCBD 11 reported.

The driver, Thomas Rich, has since been arrested by nan Hale County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and charged pinch intoxication assault, nan outlets said.

PEOPLE reached retired to nan HCSO for remark connected Saturday, Sept. 27, but did not person an contiguous response.

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Aidan’s girlfriend, Jadzia, described what it was for illustration getting nan telephone that her fellow had been successful nan mishap while speaking to ABC 7.

“When I answered nan phone, I could conscionable perceive everything successful nan back. I could perceive sirens. I could perceive Aidan successful nan backmost crying and freaking out. I could perceive nan upwind and each nan commotion. And I virtually [...] conscionable went into complete shock,” she said.

Aidan’s mother, Kristi Poole, said that seeing her boy successful nan infirmary pursuing nan incident is thing that nary genitor should ever person to spell through.

“You don't ever want to perceive your kid outcry and scream, and conscionable seeing each of his burns is thing you ne'er want to see,” she told ABC 7.

Kristi recalled that her boy was conscious during nan tragedy. “He struggled trying to get nan doorway unlocked,” she said while speaking to News 13, adding, “He knew really to support his eyes closed because location was truthful overmuch fire.”

She said that she and her husband, James Poole, now walk arsenic overmuch clip pinch their boy successful nan infirmary arsenic possible. 

“We get up to nan infirmary astir 6 successful nan greeting and conscionable sojourn him for a small while. Then, we caput to work, past we travel backmost present aft activity [...] enactment for nan evening, person meal pinch him. We don’t time off his room. Then we spell backmost to nan Airbnb past commencement it each complete again," she told News 13.

A GoFundMe established connected behalf of nan Poole family states that nan driver of nan different conveyance “slammed into” Aidan’s car from behind.

“The effect sent his conveyance airborne, and nan state vessel exploded upon landing,” nan fundraising page organizers said.

They went connected to picture Aidan’s injuries arsenic “catastrophic.”

“Aidan is now successful nan pain portion successful Lubbock pinch terrible and life-changing burns and is facing aggregate surgeries. Aidan is besides experiencing important trauma and PTSD from nan crash,” those who crafted nan GoFundMe stated.

They besides described nan teen — who they said is simply a Texas Tech honors student — arsenic “selfless, tender-hearted, intelligent, and kind, pinch a witty consciousness of joke that draws group in.” 

Added nan loved ones, “Aidan’s family lives extracurricular of Lubbock and is staying adjacent nan infirmary to beryllium pinch him. They look important expenses for lodging, food, travel, ineligible fees, aesculapian bills.”