UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Vietnam War veteran was injured when his homemade, horse-drawn trailer was struck by a tractor-trailer in Union County last Thursday.
On Sunday, more than 350 people brought clothes, equipment and money to a fundraising event to help Roger Howell complete his mission.
Howell lost nearly everything he owned when a tractor-trailer struck the horse-drawn buggy he was living in last week. The accident happened on Highway 601 in Monroe near Hargette Road. Howell, his horses and dog survived.
Howell had left his home in Tennessee to travel to Niagara Falls.
Last year, doctors gave him weeks to live due to illness caused by exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
A local VFW and members of the community helped Howell, along with Charlotte Center City Carriage Tours. They held a fundraiser for him and his animals to help get them back on their journey Sunday on Medlin Road in Monroe.
Troopers said a tractor-trailer struck Howell's trailer, which was being pulled by his two horses on Highway 601, two miles north of the South Carolina border, around 10 a.m.
CHOPPER 9: Man driving homemade horse trailer hit by car
Chopper 9 flew over the scene, where crews were cleaning up debris that was scattered all over the highway.
Howell was injured and was taken to a hospital but since has been released.
IMAGES: Chopper 9 over scene of horse trailer crash
After Howell was released from the hospital, Channel 9 caught up with him at a nearby horse farm where his two horses were being cared for.
Howell told Channel 9 he travels about 10 miles per day and then camps out at various places.
The Times and Democrat recently did a feature on Howell about how he set off from his home in Tennessee on a trip to Niagara Falls, New York.
Howell told the Times and Democrat that he was motivated to take the journey after receiving a terminal diagnosis from his doctor.
The Vietnam War veteran, who suffers from complications to Agent Orange exposure, told the newspaper he "just doesn't want to die on the porch."
See photos of Howell from the Times and Democrat
How To Help:
Anyone looking to help Howell is urged to contact the VFW in Monroe.
Officials at the VFW said viewers looking to help can call or stop by and donate to help Howell.
They will accept cash or check made out to Roger Howell.
Monroe VFW 5464
712 VFW Road, Monroe, N.C.
704-283-4842
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