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The incident happened in West Babylon, shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
Suffolk County Police said two men drove their cars into a shopping center parking lot located at 90 Route 109, exited their vehicles, and got into an altercation.
One of the men got back into his vehicle, rammed the other man's vehicle three times, and then ran over the other man before fleeing the scene, police said.
On Monday morning, Oct. 21, police announced that detectives arrested Patrick Laughlin, of Babylon, on suspicion of assault and criminal mischief.
Loved ones identified the victim as 51-year-old John Aebly, a longtime physical education teacher and coach in the Sachem Central School District. The district encompasses residents of Holbrook, Holtsville, and Farmingville.
“As many of you know, John Aebly was in a terrible accident this weekend. Currently he is in the ICU,” Michael Ragona said on a GoFundMe campaign. “He has a crushed spinal cord and still has no feelings or movement in his legs.”
Aebly underwent emergency surgery on Sunday, Oct. 20.
“Recovery is going to be a long painful process,” Ragona said, adding that money raised will help the family make their house wheelchair accessible.
The husband and father graduated in 1992 from Sachem East High School, where he was a three-sport athlete, according to Sachem Report. He is a longtime Sachem wrestling coach and was inducted into the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.
“Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers,” Ragona said. “Any contribution that will help the family financially during this devastating time would be greatly appreciated.”
The GoFundMe campaign had raised over $90,000 as of Thursday, Oct. 24. Those who wish to donate can do so here.
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