ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) – A husband, father and local musician is fighting for his life at University Hospitals in Cleveland after being caught in the middle of a high-speed police pursuit in Lorain County.
“I saw the two cars but I wasn’t sure because it was such a mangled mess,” said Kristy Helbig.
Helbig’s husband, 48-year-old Rob “Runt” Vormelker, was on his way home from the grocery store Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22, on Route 57 in Elyria. He was turning onto Griswold Road when he was struck by a car fleeing police.
Vormelker suffered serious injuries, including but not limited to a punctured stomach, ruptured bowel and broken pelvis.
“Day by day even feels like a lot in this situation. It’s more like hour by hour,” said Helbig.
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Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers say the collision is under investigation, but initial findings show 40-year-old Brandon Ryan was driving a Nissan Altima and being pursued by police on Route 57.
Investigators say he failed to stop at a traffic light and smashed into Volmelker’s Toyota Corolla.
Ryan was life-flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center with life threatening injuries, but his current condition is unknown.
Two passengers in Ryan’s vehicle died. They’ve been identified as 36-year-old Tanner Smith and 36-year-old Meghan Incorvaia.
Vormelker has undergone emergency surgery and been placed in a medically induced coma.
Kristy says, at one point, doctors reduced the medications to check on him.
“I’m like, ‘hey babe, I’m here. Can you hear me?’ and he turned his head and opened his eyes and I was like, ‘oh my gosh, like oh yes, okay we’re getting somewhere,’” said Helbig.
While she is spending most of her time at the hospital, something incredible has been happening back home in Lorain County.
Friends, family and total strangers have begun rallying behind the couple, delivering meals for Kristy and Rob’s two sons and sending messages of support.
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A dear friend whose own husband passed away in October in an accident also started a GoFundMe to help the family with their mounting medical expenses.
“It’s really humbling. You see there’s so much good in the world,” said Kristy, becoming choked up. “My gratitude is like, I can’t even explain it.”
As for the crash and police pursuit, Kristy says she has seen people arguing about it online and she doesn’t like seeing people so upset.
“You know, the cops have a job to do. I just wish, I don’t know, I just wish it was another way. It was early in the day, schools were letting out, cars were everywhere. I just wish it would’ve been different,” she said.
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