Kyle Freud doesn't remember the moment when he and another driver collided with a horse while traveling along Interstate 70 in Colorado.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"He is currently experiencing post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), meaning he has no memory of the crash or events since then," explained his wife. "This is common after a major trauma, and his doctors are monitoring it closely as part of his recovery."
What led up to this unusual incident? We have the details below.
A Horse Crossed the Interstate, Leading to the Car Accident
PEOPLE reports that on Sunday, Feb. 8, the Colorado State Patrol responded to a two-vehicle crash that involved a horse. The incident occurred early in the morning along Interstate 70 in Mesa County, near milemarker 22.
One of the vehicles was a Ford F-250 driven by a 17-year-old from Peyton, Colorado. The other was a Toyota Land Cruiser operated by the 41-year-old Freud. Because the horse crossed the interstate, it collided with the moving vehicles. Freud's Toyota then rolled and eventually came to a stop on its roof, totaling the vehicle. The horse died at the scene.
"The driver of the Land Cruiser was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for life-threatening injuries," the Colorado State Patrol said. "The driver of the Ford suffered no injuries and was not transported."
There Is a Fundraiser for Kyle Freud
A GoFundMe has been created to help Freud's family with medical expenses as he recovers from his injuries. It has raised over $20,000 so far.
"Kyle is one of the most genuine, passionate, and giving people you'll ever meet," says the fundraiser organizer, Seena Miremadi. "He's been a cornerstone of the Land Cruiser and off-road community for years-sharing builds, trail adventures, knowledge, and encouragement with everyone from newbies to seasoned wheelers."
She adds, "Beyond that, he's an amazing husband and father who puts his family first every single day. His positive energy, humor, and willingness to help others have touched so many lives."
In addition to the memory loss, Freud will likely face expensive surgeries and rehab on his long road to recovery, causing him to be unable to work for several months.
However, his wife says Freud is much more alert and is scheduled to have hand surgery today, Feb. 11.
She says, "We are so grateful for every donation, share, and kind message you've sent our way—it truly means the world to us during this difficult time."
