Goodrich- As a widower and cancer survivor with hearing difficulties and macular degeneration, James Burrum had already faced many obstacles prior to being struck by an SUV.
‘They say I’m like a cat, I’ve got nine lives,? laughs the 78-year- old.
Burrum says he was crossing the street in front of his home at approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 17 when he was struck by the vehicle, driven by a white male, approximately 40 years old.
‘I just turned around and stepped back on the pavement when he hit me,? says Burrum.
Burrum says the accident ended with him under the vehicle, with the right front tire pressed against his ribs. He says he was too shaken up to notice specifics, but 12-year-old grandson Jacob Burrum witnessed the incident and said his grandfather was struck by an SUV’likely a Pontiac? driven by a man on a cell phone.
‘He had topped the hill’he was on his cellular phone and didn’t see what he was doing,? says Burrum.
The driver hesitated before exiting the vehicle to check on him, says Burrum. When the man got out, he had a cell phone in hand, and asked Burrum if he wanted an ambulance.
‘The only (other) thing I remember him saying was ‘Why did you stop??? says Burrum. ‘I still haven’t got (what he meant by that) figured out.?
Burrum says the man didn’t offer to help him up as he struggled to get out from beneath the vehicle.
‘He acted like he was afraid to touch me,? says Burrum.
Daughters Debbie Bonadeo and Linda Corcoran say they interpret that lack of action as the driver being in a state of panic and shock, worried about a lawsuit if he were to assist their father. To think otherwise, they say, is painful.
‘I think rather than being defensive, you should have a little more empathy,? says Corcoran.
Burrum says the driver said he was in the area visiting his father, and would stop back to check on Burrum later, before getting back on his cell phone and driving away.
‘He said that he would be back by to check on me, but he never did do that,? says Burrum.
With the help of the description provided by Jacob, Burrum filed a police report about the incident, but was hesitant to seek medical attention. However, at the request of his grand daughter, Amanda Bonadeo, 20, he did eventually go to an emergency health center.
Burrum says X-Rays were taken of his knee and chest, but it was eventually determined he had suffered only minor injuries.
‘He was really, really lucky,? says Bonadeo.
Now, Burrum says he is recovering well.
‘I’m getting pretty good, but my left knee is pretty funny,? says Burrum.
Burrum says he is not one to dwell on the negative, but both he and his family are saddened the driver never came back to check on him.
‘Guilt should have got him, he should have come back,? says Bonadeo. ‘I think it would be good for him to come forward, nobody can live with that.?
Corcoran says she is just grateful things aren’t worse.
‘We’re just very grateful to still have a dad here.?
The family say they hope, if nothing else, the incident can serve as a warning to others about the dangers of talking on a cell phone while driving.
As for Burrum, he says he is moving on.
‘I’m not the kind of person to sit around and cry over spilt apples,? says Burrum. ‘The world’s got to go on.?
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