Buffalo, NY – Richie Phongsavath, a local Uber driver, is seeking support from the community after being involved in a devastating car accident while working. The accident occurred late at night when a deer collided with his car, leaving significant damage to his vehicle and resulting in the deer’s death.
Richie shared that his insurance company will not cover the repairs because the accident happened while he was on the Uber platform, and Uber’s own insurance also does not cover the damage. As a result, Richie is now without a vehicle and has lost his primary source of income.
In a fundraiser organized by Richie, he explained the dire situation he faces. He has been struggling to make ends meet, with rent due and no money left to cover food or living expenses. The car repairs are estimated to cost $2,500, and Richie has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to get through the next few weeks while he figures out his next steps.
As of yesterday, the fundraiser has raised $265 out of a $2,000 goal, with donations from supporters such as Michelle Jeanette Lewis, Chloe LeGard, and Jan Roberts. Chloe LeGard, who donated $75, has been particularly vocal on Facebook, encouraging others to contribute and help Richie avoid homelessness. Chloe posted, "Richie and I have been friends for 3 years now. He is one of the kindest people I know. He is going through a really rough time. Please help, even a dollar will bring him closer to his goal of not being homeless."
Others have also shared their thoughts, including Samana Unger, who commented, "Already donated, but I’ll share," and Sabrina Sky, who expressed sympathy for Richie’s situation, saying, "Thank you for sharing this! Every share helps. The feelings of losing everything hurts the most. Good luck to you Richie!!"
Richie continues to face financial hardships, and his community is rallying behind him in hopes that he can get the help he needs to recover from this unexpected tragedy.
If you would like to contribute, Richie has organized a GoFundMe page to raise the necessary funds for his recovery and vehicle repairs.