Man Struck by Drunk Driver at Familiar Kentucky Intersection

A well-known community member, widely recognized for waving to passing cars from his wheelchair, is currently fighting for his life after being hit by a pickup truck. The incident occurred at the same intersection where he often sits and greets travelers, nearly three decades after a prior crash that left him disabled.

Brad Fritz, 41, sustained critical injuries including skull fractures, a collapsed lung, pelvic fractures, broken ribs, and a severely broken arm which required surgical repair with rods, plates, and screws. He was hospitalized overnight in serious condition.

His father, Mickey Fritz, shared on social media that Brad suffered multiple lacerations, bruises, and emotional trauma, noting the difficulty in explaining the event to him as he is currently experiencing short-term memory loss. Despite his injuries, his resilient spirit remains evident.

Brad, affectionately called “Champ,” was a standout football player at Covington Catholic High School before a 1999 accident involving a drunk driver. This earlier crash resulted in traumatic brain injury, a coma lasting three months, and permanent mobility limitations. Since then, Brad has dedicated his life to raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.

Recently, the driver responsible for Tuesday’s collision, James McGillicuddy, was arrested. He faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence, open container possession, assault, and criminal mischief. Authorities also reported discovering cases of beer and an open alcoholic beverage container in his vehicle after the incident.

McGillicuddy has posted a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 15. His attorney emphasized that the danger of impaired driving can have devastating outcomes, even from a single incident.

Brad Fritz’s community continues to support him through this difficult time, with his father expressing pride in his son’s fighting spirit and resilience.