ATLANTA, Ga. — Harmon, owner of All Star Landscapes, wanted to help and contacted Sunshine on a Ranney Day who united him with the Halsteads.
“I would mow my neighbors' lawns, and I’d ask for a donation of whatever size for the Halsteads,” said Harmon.
The Halsteads told Channel 2 Action News they couldn't be more grateful for Todd’s help.
“Todd was one of the very first people to step up,” said Bill Halstead, Tripp’s dad. “We were still praying that night that Tripp would pull through, but Todd was there offering to take time from his small business and family to help our family. It really meant the world to us.”
“I had kids the same age,” said Harmon. “I just couldn’t imagine something like that happening to them.”
On a rainy day in Dec. 2013, Harmon’s wife was driving their children Tyler, 10, and Olivia, 3, to school in Bethlehem, Georgia. Harmon said the car suddenly hydroplaned, rolled several times and slipped into a ditch.
All three were taken to the hospital. Tyler suffered the most severe injuries.
“He actually died three times at the scene,” said Harmon. “They were going to Life Flight him to the hospital, but the weather was so bad that they couldn’t do that.”
Tyler was taken to Athens Regional Hospital, and later transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
“He wasn’t expected to live through the night after the accident,” said Harmon.
Harmon wants his son to continue progressing at his current rate, but recently doctors significantly reduced the number of Tyler’s physical therapy hours. He worries the reduced hours will impede his son’s progress.
"The goal is to get him better, not keep him the same," said Harmon. "Some of his motor skills have regressed because he's not getting some of the intense therapies he needs."
(UPDATE: Since we posted this story, a Good Samaritan came forward to donate a van. The online fundraiser also brought in more than $22,000. Read more on the Harmons' Facebook page.)
Just a year after the accident, Harmon says he's a different man.