Hit-and-run leaves Wichita man on life-support, family asks for help

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A Wichita woman is asking for community help after a hit-and-run incident put her brother on life-support.

Amanda White said her brother, Richard Trask, was driving on southwest Wanamaker in Topeka when another driver failed to yield the right-of-way.

"The driver of a car failed to yield at a stop sign," White said, "pulled out in front of him and Richard hit him at almost a dead 90. The driver of the vehicle then took off and left my brother for dead."

White says her family moved to Wichita from Topeka and that Richard was back in town visiting friends.

She tells 27 News she's been in contact with Topeka police and that they're still looking for the suspect. Fortunately, White said a good samaritan driving behind Richard stopped, called 911, and stayed with him until help arrived.

"Thanks to that driver," she said, "Richard was able to go into surgery within in hour of the accident which is why he's still here today."

Even still, the crash left Richard fighting for his life with a traumatic brain injury.

"We are looking at months or years of recovery if Richard is ever the same again," White said.

She described her brother as a 21-year-old just trying to figure out life and said a lot of his world revolves around being an uncle.

"He has several nieces and a nephew," she said. "I have 3 little ones and he's a part of their daily life. So when he's not working or working on his bike, he's spending a lot of time with them."

Richard's sister said the bills have already started stacking up, so she setup a GoFundMe to help her brother.

"I love him so much and I know that he knows I'm always in his corner," White said. "We talk pretty regularly, this has been pretty hard not to hear his voice and see him."

To donate to Richard's GoFundMe, click here.

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