A family says their lives “changed forever” after a father, who is a teacher in Huntley, suffered severe injuries that left him partially paralyzed when a tree fell onto him in Algonquin during a “freak accident.”
The incident happened around 10:45 a.m. on July 22 in the 900 block of Harper Drive in Algonquin.
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District said a tree-cutting incident was reported involving a homeowner.
Paramedics arrived in two minutes and found the man, who was in his 40s, had been struck by a falling tree while working to cut it down.
The victim, a homeowner, was on the ground with serious injuries that required immediate medical attention, fire officials said.
Paramedics quickly began providing advanced medical care and requested a medical helicopter for transport to a Level 1 trauma center.
Fire officials said the victim was stabilized and was instead transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital.
A LifeNet medical helicopter landed at the hospital and the man was flown to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge due to the severity of his injuries.
Lisa Pasciak said the victim was her brother-in-law, John “JD” Hoth. She called it a “devastating freak accident” that occurred while cutting down a tree at home.
Pasciak said it was not the result of carelessness or poor judgment.
Hoth was wearing a hard hat and protective clothing and was “taking every reasonable precaution,” she said. “The tree was far more compromised than anyone could have seen from the outside and failed suddenly without warning.”
Hoth suffered a severe cervical spinal cord injury and underwent emergency surgery to stabilize his neck and spine.
Hoth has full brain function and full use of his head, neck and arms but has no feeling below his chest, including his abdomen, lower body and legs.
“While the surgery was successful, we simply don’t know what his long-term recovery will look like,” Pasciak said.
Hoth has “always dedicated his life to serving others,” Pasciak said, calling him a devoted husband, an incredible father to three children and a teacher in Huntley who “pours his heart into his students every day.”
He previously served as a youth minister and mentored many young people in their faith while encouraging them through life’s challenges.
“Whether in the classroom, at church, or in his community, JD has always been someone who shows up for others with kindness, compassion, and a servant’s heart,” Pasciak said.
Hoth will face an “incredibly difficult” recovery and will face extensive inpatient rehabilitation, ongoing therapy and a long process of adapting to a completely different way of life following his hospital stay.
“Their home will need to be modified for accessibility, they will eventually need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, and there will be countless medical and unforeseen expenses. Jenny has been faithfully by JD’s side every day and night at the hospital, and is the point person for his care management and advocacy, driving hundreds of decisions she never thought she would have to make,” Pasciak said.
His wife, who teaches in Carpentersville, will be the family’s primary source of income.
“Like so many families, on top of the mounting medical expenses, they have a mortgage, student loans, and everyday bills that won’t stop simply because life has changed overnight,” Pasciak said.
Pasciak has created a GoFundMe account that has already raised $50,000 from over 300 donors with a $250,000 goal.
“What we do know is – JD. He’s strong, he’s determined, and he’s surrounded by people who love him more than words can say. We are incredibly grateful for the first responders, his surgeons, all of the various medical teams, and everyone who has reached out to support JD & Jenny during the hardest time of their lives,” she said.