Former Dacula Band Member Hit While Helping Stranded Motorist

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Friends and family are rallying around a 20-year-old Dacula man who received serious injuries after helping a stranded motorist at a Norcross intersection.

Caleb Graves stopped to help a driver whose car conked out in the intersection of Brook Hollow Parkway and Center Way around 8:20 p.m. Sunday night.

A passing motorist plowed into Graves as he helped push the disabled vehicle out of the road.

The driver who hit Graves fled on foot, according to police.

"The driver of that vehicle left on foot and later we received a call from the owner of that vehicle saying that that vehicle had been stolen," said Cpl. Edwin Ritter of the Gwinnett Police Department.

Well-wishers are posting messages of loving support on Facebook for the Dacula High graduate and former captain of the school's drum line.

Band instructor Dan Harkness taught Graves during his time at Dacula High.

Harkness says students and staff learned of the accident on Facebook. Harkness is asking students and staff to sign a musical greeting card for Graves on a drum head.

He wasn't surprised to hear Graves was injured while helping others, saying Graves is an exceptional young man with strong Christian values, one of the most talented students he's ever taught.

"Just a real positive attitude, and if anyone could handle the setback Caleb can," Harkness said. "You know he's got alot of people to support him family and church and band family just pulling for him."

Graves is currently being treated at Gwinnett Medical Center. He had to have a foot amputated as a result of the injuries he received in the crash.

The search continues for the hit-and-run driver.

A FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO HELP CALEB'S FAMILY PAY FOR HIS MEDICAL EXPENSES.  CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO THE SITE WHERE DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED.