Benefit Held For Army Recruiter Hurt In Hit-&-Run
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- An Army Recruiter, who was severely hurt in a hit-and-run accident in September, is back home with his family.
Family and friends surrounded Staff Sergeant Travis Torgerson at a benefit Sunday at Calvary Church in Roseville. He was just released from the hospital Saturday.
Travis was severely injured after he was hit by a car and dragged nearly a mile.
The driver, Enrico Taylor, took off and was later caught and arrested by police.
"Those first few days, we weren't sure which way it was going to go, if he was going to live, he was pretty beat up," Troy Torgerson, Travis' older brother, said.
Troy said Travis has made remarkable strides over the last eight weeks.
"I walked in and saw him at the VA hospital last weekend and I just wanted to break down. To see him here, I have no words. When he stood up last weekend, it was waterworks for me."
One by one, people stopped by the table where Travis was sitting at the benefit and said hello.
There were loved ones, old friends and new friends, like Kate Britton.
"I'm so glad the Torgerson's and my husband and I will have a connection the rest of our lives," Kate said.
Kate, who is a nurse, witnessed the horrific accident unfold and rushed to his side.
"I told him, 'you're going to be just fine.' He said as soon as I told him that a weight lifted off his shoulders and he knew he was going to be OK," Kate said.
Travis' brother says they helped save his life and police catch the driver.
"I thank God my younger brother is OK," Troy said.
Troy says he will be forever grateful for what the Britton's did.
"All too often you don't take time to sell someone you love them. This was a wake up and a reminder life is too short and anything can happen."
When Travis was hit, he was with another Army Recruiter, Staff Sergeant Michael Stroud, who was also hurt. Stroud suffered minor injuries. He helped with the benefit Sunday for Travis.
