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Man with Cerebral Palsy loses aide, van in crash

Posted at 11:31 PM, Mar 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-11 13:29:18-05

Police say a silver van crossed the center line and collided with a tractor on Genesee Street just a half a mile east of Harris Hill Road.

The driver of the van was killed and the vehicle was destroyed.

Although the victim’s name has not been released the Hutchinson family, specifically Craig Hutchinson knew the victim well.

The victim in the fatal crash helped care for his younger brother Todd who lives with cerebral palsy.

“He was with Todd for a long time and took good care of Todd and the family,” Craig told 7 Eyewitness News.

As Craig and Todd mourn, the family is facing another obstacle.

“He does not have use of his arms he cannot walk he cannot talk.”

Todd who strives to maintain his independence is now essentially stranded.

“He uses the van to go to University at Buffalo and Fredonia to help teach and do education for other people with disabilities,” Craig said.

The four door Dodge Caravan was specifically outfitted to accommodate Todd’s electric well chair.

The back seats of the van were removed and a ramp was installed. Todd also had tracks welded to the floor of the van.His family says without transportation, Todd is limited to the four walls of his Buffalo home.

“I felt bad for Todd because Todd lost his means of transportation and this takes away a large part of his life,” Craig said.

So as a family mourns the loss of a caretaker, friend, and confidant they are also working to rebuild and get Todd back on the road.

 “The next step is we have to locate a vehicle that will be suitable for him that we can put his wheelchair in and still have a good quality of life,” Craig said.

If you would like to help Todd Hutchinson he can be contacted at thut154572@yahoo.com. A Go Fund Me page has also been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/29tqtz78.