The family of Richard Ortiz is asking for help and support, after Ortiz was run over Saturday, June 29 while trying to help a man on I-80 near Hershey.

A vehicle belonging to Abraham Pacheco, 32, of Thornton, Colo. caught fire. Ortiz, who was fishing in a nearby interstate lake, tried to help out, family members said. But instead, Pacheco broke into and stole Ortiz’s pickup with a camper attached, then ran over Ortiz as he drove off.

Pacheco led the authorities on a six-and-a-half-hour chase before he was apprehended, more than 30 miles away, near Brady.

The ordeal left Ortiz fighting for his life in the hospital, family members say. His pelvis is broken. One side of his hip is dislocated. The other side is crushed. He has broken ribs, road rash and was nearly scalped.

An initial surgery stopped the internal bleeding and his scalp was stitched together. The next surgery will be a hip replacement.

A GoFundMe campaign has begun to help cover medical expenses, as well as the costs of repairing or replacing the truck and camper, which Pacheco destroyed.

As of Tuesday morning, July 2, more than $9,000 had been donated to Ortiz’s account.

“My dad is a true Good Samaritan who has always gone out of his way to help others in need. Unfortunately, his act of kindness has resulted in devastating consequences for him,” his son Richard said in the GoFundMe message.

When the truck and camper were totaled, two dogs, who were sleeping in the camper at the time, lost their lives too.

“He has a long road ahead of him with surgery, rehab, modifying his house for his new medical needs, and replacing what was lost and damaged,” his son said.

Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.

“Let’s show my dad that he is not alone in this fight,” the GoFundMe appeal says.

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