Family, friends and the Batavia community gathered at the corner of Noonan drive and Oak street on Thursday afternoon to line up behind City Fire, Police and Genesee County ABATE riders in a welcome home escort for Jack Houseknecht, 21, of Batavia who suffered life threatening injuries in a motor vehicle accident on April 20, 2021.
Houseknecht was traveling on East road in the Town of Middlebury and on his way to work, when he collided with a farm implement that was attached to a tractor. According to Houseknecht’s family, he suffered a severe brain injury and a broken neck. He underwent brain surgery upon arrival at Strong Hospital after being transported by Mercy Flight. Doctors were not sure he would make it.
After 58 days at Strong Hospital, Jack is a living miracle. His family says if it were not for family, friends and the local community they would have never made it through.
Today, after arriving home from the escort of firetrucks, police cars, motorcycles, and a long train of cars, Jack and his family expressed their love and thanks to all who have helped Jack and his family through this time with a drive by parade in front of his home.
“We just thought we would never be here, it just doesn’t seem real,” says Kim Houseknecht, Jack’s mom.
“The only way we’ve been able to deal with it is our family and this community, They really held us up. The prayers, the meal trains, its been everybody doing this, physically and mentally holding us all up.”
The Houseknecht family wanted to thank all of the community for their support and prayers.
“Just the love, the love that everybody in this community has shown to all of our family and this young man that most people don’t even know, thank you Jesus and community, he is a miracle,” says John Houseknecht, Jack’s dad.
After standing up from his chair and walking a bit, Jack spoke with media.
“Everyone keeps saying that ever since I woke up from the coma that I got a nice smile, its a good thing to see, everybody here, means a lot to me cause I don’t feel alone anymore,” says Jack Houseknecht.
