The family of a Brooklyn chef injured in a serious car crash in the Dominican Republic is asking the public for help.
Loved ones said 32-year-old Kervens Altidor flew to the county to help a friend move. They say he was the passenger in the rental truck when it crashed into a tractor-trailer that was parked on an exit ramp.
“When [the driver] was on a curve, by the time for him to turn to excuse the truck, he didn’t have enough time," said Ruthza Ciceron, Altidor’s cousin.
Ciceron said the crash happened about two weeks ago, and Altidor suffered a broken collarbone and a gash on his right leg.
The family is looking to transport Altidor from the Dominican Republic back to New York, but said it costs approximately $40,000 to $50,0000.
The family has raised more than $28,000 as of Tuesday, thanks to an online campaign.
“Everybody down there [in the Dominican Republic] has been very nice, but all his family over here wants to be there for him and wants to support,” said Ciceron.
Altidor is a chef at Nitehawk Cinema and has spent more than a decade in its Williamsburg kitchen.
His family wants him to return to his passion for cooking, but more importantly, return to his 8-month-old son.
“He loves helping people,” said Jean Josph, Altidor’s brother. “He loves giving to people. He loves taking care of people.”