LEWISTON, Maine — Tyrone Fulgham came close to death when he lost his leg after being hit by a motorcycle while he was out for a run in Auburn.
NEWS CENTER Maine has been following his journey for years now.
After over half a dozen surgeries, the former marathon runner learned to walk again with a prosthetic leg. Friends and family are now raising money to help the father of three get a replacement prosthesis and a modified van, which are not completely covered by insurance.
Tyrone has been on a long road to hit the track again.
"When I got the hand cycle, it was just special because I could go out and do those things again," Tyrone explained.
In September of 2021, the father of three was training for a marathon in Auburn when he was hit by a motorcycle.
Police said the driver, Mason Perez, was speeding when he lost control of his motorcycle.
Perez, who received two years probation, was later paralyzed from the waist down after being involved in another accident.
Fulgham lost his right leg, and his left ankle was shattered in different places.
After many surgeries and rehab, he was fitted with a prosthetic leg in early 2022, hoping to run again.
After he received an $8,000 grant for a custom hand cycle, those dreams shifted into another gear. Tyrone pedaled through the TD Beach to Beacon 10K last summer, and the rest is history.
"When I crossed that finish line, it felt exhilarating because I had been away from it for so long," Tyrone enthused.
Tyrone has set his sights on qualifying for the Boston Marathon with a new training partner.
"He saw some pictures of me riding, and he said for one thing, your handlebars are upside down that was my first lesson," Tyrone quipped with a smile.
Jeremy Caron was born with spina bifida, a condition where the spine and spinal cord don't form properly. He has been a hand cyclist since he was 10 years old and does team racing for the Dempsey Challenge every year.
"It makes me feel great to help somebody learn, get on the road, and do what he loves," Caron said.
However, incredible progress could slow down if Tyrone doesn't get a new prosthesis. Because of wear and tear, a replacement is needed every two to three years. It can run as much as $50,000 and is not completely covered by insurance.
A comedy fundraiser benefiting Tyrone is set for Saturday, April 27 at the Lost Valley ski area. Funds raised will go toward purchasing a modified van so Tyrone can travel to bike races throughout the state. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to cover the $50,000 cost of a new prosthetic and other medical expenses. So far nearly $33,000 have been raised. A new path to victory that wouldn't be possible without ongoing support from friends and strangers.