Westerly family hit by alleged impaired driver in Massachusetts
WESTERLY, R.I. (WJAR) — A Westerly family is recovering after being hit by a driver allegedly under the influence of drugs in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Steven Sojkowski, his wife Stephanie, and their two children, were hit by a driver in Greenfield while driving home from a ski trip in the Northwestern part of the state.
According to The Greenfield Recorder, the driver was allegedly impaired and reportedly admitted to using drugs before the crash.
Greenfield police identified the driver as 32-year-old Javery Hattat of Bennington, Vermont. He is facing several charges, including OUI with drugs, marked lanes violation, drug possession, assault and battery among other charges.
"I'm so fortunate we're all alive," Steven told NBC 10 News in an exclusive interview.
Steven said the family was driving on a two-lane road, when the vehicle swerved into their lane and hit the family car head on.
"I had the wind knocked out of me, so I was catching my breath and seeing where everyone else was," he said.
Steven said he was behind the wheel, his wife was in the front seat and his children were in the back.
"My wife basically took the brunt," he explained.
The family was flown by helicopter to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield.
Stephanie, an East Lyme High School math teacher of 14 years, had to have multiple surgeries. Her husband told NBC 10 she broke her femur, sacrum, two vertebrae in her neck, and multiple ribs. He said Stephanie also had to have facial reconstruction surgery.
Steven broke his knee, ribs, nose, and has a number of lacerations. Steven said his children have some bruising and internal bleeding, but are recovering at home.
The family said they're grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.
Friends have set up a Meal Train and donation website for the Sojkowski family.
Greenfield police did not return NBC 10's request for a comment.