Family looking for good Samaritans who helped man after crash

HAVERHILL, Mass. – A Haverhill family is asking for help tracking down the good Samaritans who helped a man after he was hit by a car and nearly killed while crossing the street last year.

Justin Gillen was crossing Main Street last year on Jan. 12 when he was hit. The 35-year-old has had a long road to recovery and says he doesn’t remember what happened at all.

“I remember going to work, coming home, having dinner, saying bye. That's it. Nothing else,” he said.

Several people rushed to help Gillen as he lay in the street until paramedics could arrive. Now, Cheri Gillen is on a mission to track down the people who helped her son.

“I hope someone recognizes them and gets in touch with us,” she said.

Justin’s memory now falls short because of a traumatic brain injury.

“It's difficult as a parent not being there. You're helpless. You don't know what really happened,” his father Neil said.

A picture shows some of the people who helped, total strangers who selflessly rushed over to Justin's side to help and comfort him while paramedics were en route.

“It was nice knowing someone was there comforting him if I couldn't be there,” his mother said.

Now it's those same people the Gillens are hoping to find - to express their gratitude and to pass along a simple thank you.

“It’s unfortunate in incidents like this you see the best in people. We should be more like that all the time,” Neil Gillen said.

The family's posted the picture on a popular Haverhill Facebook page. If you're in the picture or know someone who is, they want you to reach out immediately.

Justin has a long way to go with his recovery and can't work right now but he says he's blessed to still be alive.

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