Discovery of the Accident
While searching for a fishing spot, Mario Garcia and his son-in-law Nivardo Delatorre stumbled upon an overturned Ram pickup truck. Little did they know that their curiosity would lead to the rescue of Matthew R. Reum.
The Mysterious Crash
On December 20, Reum’s Ram pickup truck veered off I-94 near Portage, Indiana, crashing through the barrier and landing near a small creek. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown.
A Hidden Location
Despite the accident occurring on a busy interstate highway, Reum’s vehicle ended up in a location that was out of sight for most drivers. The remote nature of the area and the noise from passing vehicles prevented Reum’s calls for help from being heard.
A Remarkable Will to Survive
Tragically, Reum was pinned in his seat with his cell phone just out of reach, leaving him unable to escape or call for help. However, he managed to survive by drinking rainwater that had pooled near his head.
A Timely Rescue
Garcia and Delatorre happened upon the crash site and initially believed they had discovered a lifeless body. To their surprise, Reum woke up when Garcia reached out to touch his shoulder and asked for help. They immediately called 911.
Emergency Response and Current Condition
Due to the remote location, it took emergency services several hours to rescue Reum. He was flown to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for treatment of severe, life-threatening injuries. As of December 27, Reum remains in critical condition with broken bones and leg injuries that may require surgery.
Supporting Reum’s Recovery
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover Reum’s medical costs. Despite his injuries, Reum can be seen smiling and giving a thumbs up in his hospital bed, displaying his resilience and determination.