ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A Central Florida couple’s wedding day took an unexpected turn when the groom was seriously injured in a crash while on his way to the ceremony.
According to a GoFundMe organized by the bride’s brother, Maurice Mathies, the groom was stopped at a traffic light and about 15 minutes from the wedding venue when another vehicle struck a median and then hit his vehicle head-on.
The fundraiser says he suffered two broken arms, a broken jaw, two broken ribs and a severe knee injury.
Instead of exchanging vows at their planned venue, the couple was married in a private wing at Orlando Regional Medical Center while the groom was being treated.
Honeymoon replaced by hospital recovery
Mathies said his new brother-in-law works in a warehouse and is currently unable to return to work because of his injuries.
The bride has remained at the hospital with him as he recovers, according to the fundraiser.
“Now, instead of leaving for their honeymoon, they are trying to get through medical expenses, loss of income, a totaled vehicle, and the emotional weight of starting their life together this way,” Mathies wrote.
A GoFundMe has been created to help with medical expenses, lost income and day-to-day living costs during the groom’s recovery.
The fundraiser can be found here.
As of Wednesday, the campaign had raised more than $1,300 toward a $7,000 goal.
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