Ty Garner going home
Special to the News
Ty Garner and his wife, Karen, are pictured here with their three sons: Evan, Landon and Christian.
The ongoing saga for Ty Garner and his family begins a new chapter next week when the avid cyclist returns home to Opelika after spending the past six months in various hospitals between Alabama and Georgia.
Karen Garner said she is “excited and scared to death” that her husband will be coming home Thursday, almost exactly six months after Ty was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike along Shug Jordan Parkway on the morning of Aug. 8.
Ty, a physical therapist at Total Rehab in Auburn, has needed constant care since then. His latest stint has been at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, which specializes in brain and spinal cord injuries.
Karen said Ty will continue to get the care he requires at home, as well as at East Alabama Medical Center, as an outpatient for at least a year. She said Ty is bound to a wheelchair, can’t verbally communicate and is on a feeding tube.
“He’s still not communicating with us, besides a head nod, but we don’t always know what he’s thinking,” she said. “We think he is sick and tired of being in hospitals for so long though and it is in his best interest to get him home.”
Auburn police say they know who is responsible for hitting Ty, but he has yet to be arrested or charged. Capt. Tom Stofer has said for months now that they will not arrest the 21-year-old until Ty can express his wishes on the matter.
Karen said that issue is “on hold” since Ty can’t talk and because there are more pressing issues at hand, such as getting Ty out of his wheelchair.
“With brain injuries, they don’t give you a prediction,” she said. “We have no idea what Ty will be like three years from now. We just hope he won’t be in that wheelchair for much longer.”
Police won’t release the name of the man since the investigation remains active, but Stofer said he returned to the scene about 50 minutes after the accident. At that time, his blood was drawn and sent to the state lab for testing. The driver could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and failure to report an accident with injuries, both of which are felonies.
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I am not saying that there should not be punishment. Of course if you do the crime then you should pay the consequenses. There are some things going on behind the scenes that the general public does not know about. There is also some information that is very relevant to the case that is not being told that affect both the victim and the young man. There is a process that has to be followed. If my sources are correct then the case is going to be brought before a grand jury in the spring. It will be up to them to proceed or not. When I said we should not be bashing I was speaking of how some of the commenters were talking about the young man who hit Ty. They should speak of the case and not bash him or the system with out the full facts. It is very easy to jump to conclusions. To all the cyclists pedesterians, and motorists please all be careful and watch out for others. This is a tragedy I do not want to see happen again. Again lets all continue to pray for both families.
Enforcing the law is not seeking revenge. Enforcing the law is not bashing people. The justice system works by prosecuting crimes, whether the victim wants to pursue charges or not (e.g., rape victims may not want to pursue charges, but the law enforcement system moves forward in order to protect the public from the accused, except possibly in Auburn where many crimes go unsolved or where charges are not brought.) People hitting cyclists and pedestrians are a danger to the town and Auburn citizens have a right to be protected from this behavior.
Of course it is very difficult for both families. How about writing this note to people in the Lee County jail? Tell them they will be released because the crime of which they are accused is difficult for their family as well as the victim’s family.
First of all,I would like to say Welcome home to Ty and his family. I would also like to say to those who are commenting on this story, please have all the facts before you say anything. I understand that some people may think they know the whole story even though they don’t. Please consider the young mans family when you are posting comments. This is hard for both families. How would you feel if this was your son that hit Ty? You would be upset and hurt if people talked about your son the way you are talking about this young man. You do not know why this young man left the scene. You do not know how you would react if it had been you that had hit someone.You do not know what the circumstances surrounding this tragedy were. Do you think this young man is not having to deal with his actions? I know he is! His family is also having to deal with his actions. I am not excusing his behavior but I think that the Garner family is focused on Ty getting better and not on revenge but forgiveness. Both families have my prayers. So instead of bashing people offer your prayers to both families.
Hitting Mr Garner may have been an accident. Leaving the scene of the accident wasn’t. Nor was failing to report the accident. Both are felonies
The 21 year old that has yet to be charged, has so far gotten away with both of them. Way to go Auburn police.
I hope I am never the victim of a crime in Auburn that leaves me unable to speak. If so, I know the person committing the crime will get away with it. Do they investigate murder around here? I only ask because after being murdered the victim can’t speak.
I am so thankful that Ty is going home! What an answer to prayer! As far as the previous comments about the 21 yr old. Yes, he left the scene of the accident. But he also returned! He could have probably not gone back and no one would have known who hit Ty. He shouldn’t have left in the first place but I think it was very brave of him to return.
Luitfroops,
There again, I said an accident! If a 21 year old broke into my house and stole a tv or anything, OF COURSE I would call the police!! That is not considered an accident. They actually decide to break in.
This young man was driving down the road between 5-7 in the morning! I am sure he had no intention of hitting Ty!
There is nothing wrong with the Garner’s having a heart and waiting for Ty to make a decision. My goodness, accidents happen all the time. Like I said if this person was under the influence, by all means, go for it!!
Aucaswell,
My thoughts are to the application of the law, not revenge as you suggest. What I said was to the point and did not require embellishments. I’m sure if some 21 year old broke into your home and stole your TV, you would call the police and file a report. Someone was seriously injured and nothing happened. That is my concern. It should be everyone’s concern too.
First, I would like to say WELCOME HOME TY!!!!! You were greatly missed!!
The Garner family has proved their strength and courage over the last six months! I am so glad things are going to get back to some what normal!!
AhmadC…I really do not think this is the time to talk about buying a house or condo!!!
Amberpvhs, luitfroops and share the road…you guys apparently do not know the Garner family! While I do not know them on a very personal level, I do know them. The person that hit Ty is 21! I am sure he/she freaked out and did not know what to do. However, this is not an excuse to let that person be free of everything. Yes, Ty and his entire family’s life has been destroyed for the last 6 months and I am sure another couple months! I truly believe they feel this was a freak accident! They happen every day! While I am certainly not taking sides for the person that hit Ty and ran, some people in this world still have a heart and try not to destroy other lives because their life was affected.
Ty is a strong man, he will make it through this and make a choice himself.
There are so many situations when family’s want “revenge” and the only way is to get back at the person that caused all the hurt. That is not the case! Accidents happen…people freak out and do things they never thought they would do. So please do not sit there and say….the person should not have ran. Unless you have been in the situation, you have no idea what you would do! At least the person came back. Now if there is any type of substances involved in the hit and run..by all means…do what you have to do, if not, realize accidents happen.
Ty, Karen, and the boys will need our constant prayers and support. Please visit his Caringbridge page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tygarner to see how you can help the Garners. Whether your able to bring a dish for a meal, help with yard work, or run some errands, Karen will need our help. He requires a great deal of physical help currently, so she is gearing up for providing him the TLC he will need. Most of all, please pray for healing and strength for Ty. Please pray for peace and strength for Karen and the boys. Be sure to let them know that they are loved. God Bless the Garner family.
I completely agree with luitfroops. It is very scary riding a bike in this “bicycle friendly” community. It is also dangerous to be a pedestrian. How many drivers have been charged in the 6 pedestrian/vehicle incidents this year, some of which caused severe injuries, including head injuries?
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