Missouri: Trooper still recovering after being hit by drunk driver last year

Missouri State Trooper Jeremy Potocki suffered brain and back injuries after being involved in an accident while on duty in St. Louis County in 2014. Since the accident, Potocki is out of a job and cannot lift more than 40 pounds, about the weight of his youngest son.

“It's extremely frustrating knowing that I can still do some things, but I can't do my job. The job I want to go do,” Potocki said. “The mindsets have always been, everyone I've talked to, you get hurt, you can't come back to work, you're gonna get taken care of, but that hasn't been the case in terms of long term.”

Potocki told News 4 that he is still dealing with doctors, medications and a pile of bills.

“It is unbelievable how many people are in that situation. We knew there was a need, but I did not realize the need was as large as it is until we got into it,” said Potocki.

Responder Rescue has spent more than $300,000 to help nearly 70 families of injured first responders. The non-profit organization has not worked with the Potocki's, but both believe more needs to be done.

“To say the government can do something, I don't know what that is, but I know they're going to need to start looking at it because this isn't just a St. Louis issue, this is nationwide,” Pat Byrne, with Responder Rescue, said.

Last month, Michael Haley, the drunk driver who was convicted of hitting Jeremy received a reduced sentence of two years in jail and five years on probation. Police said this was Haley's second offense.