Tragic Accident Leaves Family Heartbroken in Westland, Michigan
In the city of Westland, Michigan, a family’s celebration turned into a nightmare when Luke Vinsko, a recently married father of three-month-old twins, lost his leg in a horrific accident. The incident occurred on August 10, when Luke was involuntarily caught up in a neighbor’s dangerous behavior.
Luke and his wife, Haley, had just decided to enjoy their first date night since becoming parents. Excitement filled the air as they stepped out just after 7 PM. Little did they know that their evening would take a devastating turn. “I saw a red car coming at us, and I watched as it hit him and pinned him between her car and his,” Haley recalled, her voice trembling with emotion.
The Incident
According to reports, the 43-year-old neighbor, April Marie Graves, deliberately crashed her vehicle into multiple parked cars in their neighborhood. Luke was standing in the driveway when this occurred, and tragically, he was pinned beneath his own car as a result of the impact. The severity of the situation was overwhelming. “There’s just blood everywhere,” Haley said, recounting her frantic attempts to assist her husband. “I climbed over the garage door and got to him and just kept talking to him to make sure he stayed awake and calm while we waited for help.”
Despite the numerous calls from concerned neighbors to police 45 minutes earlier, the Vinskos waited in fear and desperation until help finally arrived. As they lay there, they couldn’t help but wonder: could they have avoided this tragedy if the police had responded more quickly?
Delayed Police Response
Haley expressed her frustration regarding the police’s delayed response. After receiving the first notifications at around 4 PM about April’s erratic driving, police attended to other matters, including a traffic stop. Luke’s incident was reported later, but by that time, it was too late, and Luke had already sustained serious injuries.
The Westland Police Department issued a statement acknowledging the concerns about their delayed response, noting that they are currently conducting an internal investigation into the matter. They emphasized their commitment to understanding what went wrong and ensuring such an incident does not repeat itself.
Luke’s Road to Recovery
Following the accident, Luke faced the loss of part of his leg, and the family now finds itself navigating the difficult journey of recovery. “It took me a long time to get my head all together,” Luke shared, reflecting on the challenges ahead. Instead of allowing anger to overwhelm him, he has chosen to focus on what lies ahead. “I’m going to do everything I have been doing my entire life, but better,” he asserted.
Haley has stepped up to manage everything from Luke’s medical appointments to daily household tasks. “My wife is phenomenal,” Luke praised. “She’s been doing everything under the moon.” Yet, despite their unity, the emotional toll remains heavy. Haley admitted, “I do not like being outside anymore. I hear cars accelerate, and I jump. I’m very nervous to be outside.”
Legal Action
In light of the tragedy, the Vinsko family is pursuing a staggering $50 million lawsuit against Graves’ insurance company. The legal action seeks to provide for their needs not only in the present but also in the long-term rehabilitation that Luke will require.
April Graves has since been charged with several serious offenses, including assault with intent to murder and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The charges reflect the gravity of her actions that night, as she caused immense physical harm to Luke and emotional trauma to his family.
Community Support
This heartbreaking story has not only touched the Vinsko family but also the Westland community at large. Neighbors have expressed their concerns and outrage over the delayed police response, reinforcing the need for effective safety measures.
As the Vinskos navigate this challenging chapter of their lives, they are grateful for the love and support surrounding them. Despite everything, Luke remains determined to make the most of his life, promising that this unfortunate incident won’t define him.
“It might slow me down, but it’s not going to stop me,” he said confidently, a hopeful flicker shining through the dark clouds of their recent tragedy. Indeed, the road ahead might be tough, but the Vinsko family is ready to face whatever comes next, hand in hand.
