$100K GoFundMe For State Trooper Seriously Hurt In Joliet

JOLIET, IL —In just three days, a GoFundMe attempting to raise at least $100,000 to help seriously injured Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank is more than halfway toward reaching its goal.

As of Sunday night, the Brian Frank Strong GoFundMe had raised $51,596 as a result of 839 donations. As Patch reported last week, the Illinois State Trooper was seriously injured last Monday morning after responding to a crash on I-55 near Route 30 when another driver smashed into the back of the trooper's vehicle.

State police said the trooper had pulled over behind two wrecked vehicles and turned on the emergency lights while responding to a crash around 11:45 a.m.

While the trooper was in his squad car, a black 2010 Cadillac crashed into the back of his vehicle. The driver of the Cadillac, 20-year-old Angel M. Casillas, of Joliet, was also taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. The two vehicles from the earlier crash were not involved.

The Brian Frank GoFundMe reads: "He was airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries to his brain. There was an immense amount of swelling to the head, which was responded to immediately with surgery upon arrival at the hospital.”

The organizer of the GoFundMe informs everyone that "I ran cross country with Brian in high school. His grit, work ethic, and humility inspired everyone around him, including myself."

All the donations will go to Brian and Lauren Frank, according to the GoFundMe page.

"Please let’s let them know that we all have his back, so they can focus on what’s important right now. Anything you can contribute to help Brian and his family during this time is greatly appreciated," the GoFundMe states.

If you are inclined to donate, go here.

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