LYNN — The family of a 21-year-old Lynn man, who was left in critical condition following a serious car crash last week, is raising funds for his recovery.
Jeremy Kerrins was medflighted to Massachusetts General Hospital with life-threatening injuries after crashing his car into a pole on Euclid Avenue Friday night. Emergency crews had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate him from the vehicle.
The crash left Kerrins intubated and sedated with multiple skull fractures, a laceration to the membrane surrounding the brain and a fractured spine.
Kerrins’ older sister, Jacklyn Kerrins, organized a GoFundMe page to assist with what she said will be a “very costly journey” for her brother’s recovery.
According to the family’s fundraising page, Kerrins underwent brain surgery on Saturday to relieve intracranial pressure and repair the fractures and lacerated membrane. He then had a second surgery on his spine to remove bone fragments in order to prevent paralysis.
“Jeremy’s sedation has been intermittently lightened to assess his brain function,” Jacklyn Kerrins said. “He has been able to move all four limbs and, on May 16, he was able to nod his head in response to the neurologist.”
As of Monday, Kerrins was still intubated, sedated and listed in critical condition, according to the family’s GoFundMe page.
“As a family, we are so thankful for the care that Jeremy has been receiving and we are ready to support him on his long road to recovery, whatever that may look like,” Jacklyn said. “Anyone who knows Jeremy knows he is something special. He is hilarious, kind, creative, a lover of animals and so much more.”
Jacklyn said her family was humbled by the outpouring of love and prayers from the community, saying that “we know Jeremy will be too.”
Lynn Fire Capt. Joseph Zukas said firefighters responded to a report of a vehicle that hit a pole at around 11:30 p.m. He said three passengers had been able to leave the vehicle on their own, but Kerrins remained trapped inside.
Zukas said speed was the likely cause of the crash — the speedometer was at 70 mph — and none of the vehicle’s occupants were wearing seat belts.
Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said the crash is still under investigation. State Police have taken the lead on accident reconstruction.
As of Monday, the family had raised nearly $10,000 through their GoFundMe page, which lists a $20,000 fundraising goal.
To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeremys-recovery.
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
