ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — A Taylorsville pastor is recovering after being seriously injured during a hit-and-run at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem last month.
Chris Meade is the pastor at Crosspoint Church but for years he was a teacher and principal in the area as well.
He said he doesn't remember being struck by the vehicle and feels fortunate to be alive.
"I remember struggling to breathe and saying, 'I can't breathe,'" pastor Chris Meade said.
That was the first memory Chris Meade had after being struck by a vehicle.
Meade learned both of his lungs collapsed, nearly every one of his ribs was broken and he had a serious head injury.
He is still wearing a neck brace a month later because of serious injuries to his neck.
"When you wake up and you've lost several days of your life and you don't remember even what happened, and you're so fortunate and blessed to even be alive, let alone be able to speak or walk," Meade said.
Every Sunday, hundreds come to worship at Meade’s church, and they were there when he made a surprise visit to the church after getting out of the hospital.
"It was just amazing, the number of people just seemed to care and were praying. I know it was just the prayers of God’s people. That’s why I'm here today," Meade said.
Since the accident, Meade has had time to think about the driver who hit him and never stopped.
He said that he hopes that person sees this.
"We have all made mistakes. I have made huge mistakes in my life. But for the forgiveness of God and the grace of God where would I be? So I don't have anything to say but, yes, I forgive that person," he said.
Chris Meade said he has made a lot of progress already, but it may be another six to eight months before he makes a full recovery.
He believes the accident has brought his congregation closer together.