Luke Jerde’s arrest in a hit and run case was welcomed news for the friends and family of the incident’s victim.
Zackary Mohs was badly injured Sept. 20 when he was hit by a car while on the way to a store at the corner of Arctic Boulevard and Tudor Road.
According to Mohs’ loved ones, the arrest is not as important as the recovery of their friend and family member.
“He’s struggling and he’s got a long road ahead,” said longtime friend Reyn Krebs. “But he’s going to be okay.”
Weeks have gone by since the vehicle that injured Mohs drove off. No arrests were made, and the wait weighed on family members.
“I think they were starting to get real concerned if anything was going to happen,” Krebs said.
For Zack, the road has been even tougher. He is fighting to recover from a number of injuries including a severed foot the night of the accident, which eventually cost Zack his leg from just above the knee down.
"He's got a long road ahead of him, and you can see it in his face and in the movement that he makes, like he can mouth words and stuff,” said Krebs. “But he's just confused of where he's at."
But every day, friends and family say Zack continues to improve.
“I remember I went in to see him like two weeks ago, and he couldn't move anything,” said Krebs. “And then I was in two days later and he lifted his arm all the way to his chin, then the next day he moved his leg. Literally every day, he's two times better than he is the day before."
While he’s still unable to talk, Zack’s brother Jesse says that he’s able to communicate by blinking and squeezing once for yes and twice for no.
"Yes it's relieving,” Krebs said. “Nothing is ever going to be perfect.”
For loved ones, continued improvement is all they can hope for. Zack’s mother Cheryl Young said in an e-mail to KTUU, “we're focusing on Zack's recovery from this criminal act. He's a young strong man. I have placed him in God's hands and believe he will recover from his massive injuries.”
“As long as Zack’s getting better, and as long as Zack can get to the point where he can live happily and not struggle,” Krebs said. “That’s all I want to see.”
Zack’s family says that he will remain at St. Elias Specialty Hospital for another 6 to 8 weeks before he will be well enough to be moved to the lower 48 for rehab therapy.
On November 4, from 3 to 7 p.m., friends and family will be hosting Zackapalooza at The Bush Company. All the proceeds will go to the medical care of Zackary Charles Mohs.
