CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago doctor remains in the intensive care unit nine days after a suffering a brain injury in a hit-and-run crash near the Illinois Medical District.
Ray Lee is a physiatrist who specializes in spinal cord injuries, and he is avid cyclist.
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“He was biking home from work and was struck by a vehicle. It was a hit-and-run. He was somewhat conscious at the scene, but he’s been in a coma since then,” said Fani Lee, Ray’s wife. “This was his commute. It started in COVID. It was a good stress release for him, quickly became part of the biking community in Chicago. He loves it.”
Chicago police put out an alert about the hit-and-run. CPD reported that at about 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Damen and Van Buren, a red 2010 Ford Fusion sedan hit Ray. The car had an Illinois license plate reading, “BN 64959.”
Fani is an occupational therapist. She shared that it was Ray’s business was to help others recover from accidents or injuries. Now, he is the one in need of help.
“He’s just the nicest, sweetest guy. We’ve had patients, previous coworkers. ‘Everybody loves Ray,’ we always say, like the TV show,” Fani said. “The brain does heal, but it takes a very long time, so it’s going to be at least months, possibly even years before we can see if there is a full recovery. That’s what we are hoping for.”
Fani and Ray have two children and community of supporters. Fani said she is grateful for Ray’s care and for all the support, and she hopes that anyone driving in Chicago will be more aware of cyclists and their safety.
Fani said Ray was wearing a helmet that actually cracked after he was thrown 30 feet. She says he likely would not have survived if he was not wearing a helmet.
Fani and Chicago police welcome any information about who may have been driving that red car on Oct. 29.
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