ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A St. Augustine man, who locals know as the man who cleans up the roadways, is still recovering in the hospital after being hit by a vehicle while picking up trash on US-1.
Cary Sparks was hit last Wednesday. He said he doesn't remember the accident, only waking up in a hospital bed.
“I didn't know what happened, where it happened or anything other than people coming into my room," Sparks said.
Sparks says he has a brain injury and broken leg. He's hoping to get out of the hospital soon and return to his community.
“My cleaning up of the of the community. And that's what I do to get by every day. And that's what keeps me going," he said.
It’s where he volunteers his time, and where he lives.
“I've been living in a tent now for near 10 years," Sparks said.
Cary is homeless and said he suffers from seizures and cannot work regular jobs.
“You have to give to something to be part of it. And I realized this and being homeless here. I decided that I would just start cleaning up the trash in the community, on my own time as a self-appointed volunteer," Sparks said.
His community noticed. Over the years, neighbors have donated food and clothing.
He says last year they raised money for him to buy an electric tricycle, which he was riding last Wednesday when he was hit.
“That has been destroyed and just completely obliterated," Sparks said.
Since the crash, dozens of neighbors have sent Cary well wishes on social media and checking in to see when he will be coming home.
“Very warm and intense feeling to know that people really do care about what I do. I like to give and that's how I give back to the community that I live in," Sparks said.
First Coast News reached out to the St. Johns County Sheriff's office asking if any arrests were made but has not heard back at this time.
Sparks said he eventually wants to get another tricycle and continue cleaning his community, but said he first needs to heal and find a place to stay when he leaves the hospital.