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PORT NECHES — A local man has a long road to recovery after he was struck last week by a vehicle while taking out garbage in Port Neches.

Roger Sims, 25, suffered major injuries including a broken jaw in two places, broken leg and fractured vertebrae. He has already had two surgeries, one to place a rod and screws in his femur and another wiring his jaw shut for eight weeks, according to Holly Broussard, whose sister is dating Sims.

Broussard set up a fundraising account on gofundme.com titled “Help Roger and Christian Overcome Crisis” to assist the couple financially.

Sims will remain in the hospital for quite a while as he recovers from the surgeries and has physical therapy.

In the meantime he is unable to work and cannot keep his upstairs apartment, she said.

“These funds will be used to support them with food and expenses during these times of hardship and help them be able to get their stuff moved and in storage till they can find a place that is not upstairs,” she said in the gofundme post. “If you find it in your heart to help these young adults during such a difficult time they and their families will greatly appreciate it.”

The suspect in the auto-pedestrian crash is identified as Andrew Barnett, 34, of Port Neches. He was arrested April 16 with bond set at $25,000 and was released the same day.

Background

On April 14, officers responded to the 2400 block of Earle Street after a vehicle struck a pedestrian and left the scene.

Officers located the victim, a 25-year-old male, semi-conscious in a neighboring yard. They observed he had what appeared to be a fractured leg and injuries to his mouth. He was taken shortly after to the hospital.

Officers assessed the scene and spoke with neighbors. They were able to determine a vehicle traveling east on Earle crossed over the westbound lane and then drove approximately six feet into the front yards of several houses, striking the victim, who was taking out his trash.

Witnesses who saw the vehicle leaving the scene described it as a 4-door white truck and stated it left Earle traveling north on Magnolia.

The next morning Capt. Jesse Fournet was able to track down video of the vehicle, and investigators began looking for it.

In addition, Fournet communicated this information to the oncoming night shift and provided officers with still shots from the video.

While working the night shift, Officer Justin Porter located a vehicle that matched the description and conducted a traffic stop.

Information gathered during their field investigation led officers to believe the sole occupant/driver of the truck was the suspect.

Detectives were called to the scene and continued the investigation, including an interview of the driver. At that time, the driver of the truck was arrested for traffic violations and the truck was impounded.

Investigators continued their work the next morning and gathered additional information solidifying the case. They filed the case with the District Attorney’s office and obtained a warrant for the suspect’s arrest. Officers working patrol were notified of the warrant and shortly after and arrested the suspect at his place of business.

He was taken to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility and booked in on the felony charge of “Collision Involving Personal Injury or Death”.

Investigators paid several visits to the victim at the hospital during this investigation. He ultimately suffered fractures of his left femur, and left lower leg, multiple fractures of his jaw and had several teeth knocked out.

“We appreciate the witnesses who provided officers with information. Also, thank you to all the officers and investigators who worked tirelessly on this case for the past several days,” a PNPD news release stated. “Their initiative, collaboration and proactive efforts are commendable.”