After more than eight hours, the second skin graft surgery for the teen who survived a deadly car crash near Oakleaf High School back in mid-September has been deemed a success.
Taj Richey’s mom explains that the surgery was moved to last Friday in Gainesville after the first attempt at the skin graft was unsuccessful. Now, they’ll probably have to stay in Gainesville for another 16 days while he recovers.
Family members set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for hospital bills.
Richey's mother, Stephanie Elder, said her son had a breakdown Monday "when he saw the hole in his leg."
Richey, an Oakleaf High School student, lost his left leg Sept. 16 after the car he was traveling in crashed into a tree on Oakleaf Plantation Parkway and Merchants Way, just a couple miles from the school.
Richey was in the car with two other Oakleaf High School students. One student, 16-year-old Keondre Moss, died in the crash.
To help Richey and his family with hospital bills, click here.