Aidan Poole, 19, is recovering from life-altering injuries after a crash with an alleged drunk driver left him with “severe and catastrophic burns,” authorities said. In addition to his physical injuries, Poole is reportedly enduring significant psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, as a result of the incident.
The accident occurred on Sunday, Sept. 7, as Poole was driving on I-27 in Hale County, Texas, on his way to the Texas Tech campus. Local news outlets, including News 13, ABC 7, and KCBD 11, reported that the collision has dramatically upended the young student’s life.
The driver involved, identified as Thomas Rich, was arrested by the Hale County Sheriff’s Office and charged with intoxication assault, according to law enforcement reports. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the crash.
Friends and family of Poole described the event as devastating, noting that his road to recovery will likely be long and challenging. The community has rallied around him, offering support as he navigates both the physical and emotional aftermath of the accident.
Efforts to reach the Hale County Sheriff’s Office for comment on Saturday, Sept. 27, did not yield an immediate response.
Aidan Poole’s girlfriend, Jadzia, recounted the moment she received the call about the accident in an interview with ABC 7, describing the harrowing scene that unfolded over the phone.
“When I answered the phone, I could just hear everything in the back. I could hear sirens. I could hear Aidan crying and freaking out. I could hear the wind and all the commotion. And I literally… just went into complete shock,” she said.
Her account underscores the immediate and terrifying impact of the crash, which has left Poole battling not only severe physical injuries but also profound psychological trauma.
Aidan Poole’s mother, Kristi Poole, described the heart-wrenching experience of seeing her son in the hospital after the crash, saying it is a pain no parent should ever endure.
“You don’t ever want to hear your child cry and scream, and just seeing all of his burns is something you never want to see,” she told ABC 7.
Kristi recounted that Aidan was conscious during the incident. “He struggled trying to get the door unlocked,” she told News 13, adding, “He knew how to keep his eyes closed because there was so much fire.”
Her recollections highlight both the severity of the accident and the extraordinary presence of mind her son demonstrated in the midst of the chaos.
Kristi Poole said that she and her husband, James Poole, now spend as much time as possible by their son’s side in the hospital.
“We get up to the hospital about 6 in the morning and just visit him for a little while. Then, we head to work, then we come back here after work… stay for the evening, have dinner with him. We don’t leave his room. Then we go back to the Airbnb and start it all over again,” she told News 13.
A GoFundMe page established to support the Poole family detailed the circumstances of the crash, stating that the driver of the other vehicle “slammed into” Aidan’s car from behind. “The impact sent his vehicle airborne, and the gas tank exploded upon landing,” organizers wrote.
The fundraising page described Aidan’s injuries as “catastrophic,” noting that he is currently in the burn unit in Lubbock, Texas, facing multiple surgeries and significant psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Organizers also highlighted Aidan’s character, describing the Texas Tech honors student as “selfless, tender-hearted, intelligent, and kind, with a witty sense of humor that draws people in.” They added, “Aidan’s family lives outside of Lubbock and is staying near the hospital to be with him. They face significant expenses for lodging, food, travel, legal fees, and medical bills.”
