Fighting For His Life
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Posted: 9:47 PM Jun 13, 2008
Fighting For His Life
Funny and unforgettable is how friends describe BJ Berkhouse who was walking down Capitol Street on the sidewalk late Saturday night when a woman drove her car up on the curb and slammed into him.
Reporter: Laurabree Austin
Email Address: laurabree.austin@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Imagine an evening with friends, when something goes terribly wrong. Late Saturday night BJ Berkhouse was walking down Capitol Street on the sidewalk when a woman drove her car up on the curb and slammed into him.

“We still have the head trauma and that's the most significant,” Jeffrey Kelley, BJ’s friend said. “And that's the thing we're waiting to see. So every day is a long day and we're thankful he's still with us.”

The driver came off the curb onto Capitol Street where BJ and his friend were just walking. He was hit from behind and he's been in critical condition ever since.

“I do remember turning around and he was lying there,” Kelly said. “It was a lot to take in as to what was going on and I’m not sure at this point realize what all transpired.”

“I can't hold remorse because I am a Christian,” Geneal Berkhouse, BJ’s mother said. “But I still have mixed feelings and to know what she's done to me and the rest of his family and friends

On top of everything, Berkhouse doesn't have insurance.

“We're just scraping the surface with that I’m sure it's going to be difficult,” Kelly said. “However it pans out but right now it's all secondary just hoping we can get to the point where he's healthy first.”

I just depend on the lord and prayers and there are a lot of prayers even overseas it's on the internet who's praying him,” Berkhouse’s mother said.

BJ works for SkyWest airlines at Yeager airport, his friends and co-workers are starting to organize a number of fundraisers.

As for the driver of the car -- Melissa Newman, police say they are still waiting on some blood work to come back, but they do believe charges will be filed.

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