SAN ANTONIO – A southwest Bexar County community is praying for the recovery of a man largely known for giving neighborhood kids a ride on his donkey cart.
Dr. Sherman Mathey was severely injured when a pickup truck slammed into his donkey-drawn cart Saturday at Pearsall and Kerney roads.
Mathey and four others, including two children, were rushed to University Hospital.
Friends and family of Mathey say he is dedicated to putting smiles on the faces of children and those less fortunate.
With every step along the road where the accident took place comes new evidence, fragments of destruction.
Family friend Robyn Miller is picking up the pieces and salvaging what she can of what a hit-and-run driver left behind.
"We found some harness rings that go on the donkey harness and the souvenir rubber ducky that was on there, and a bent bolt and some of the pieces of wagon, the green wagon," she said.
Saturday was like any other typical day for Mathey before a tragic accident changed everything.
"I don't know how many years he's done this, roughly 12-13 years. He also does parades with his donkey cart. Castroville parade is a big one, Fourth of July. He does Wounded Warrior kids at Fort Sam every Tuesday," Miller said.
The two children on the cart at the time of the accident are 3 and 6 years old.
Mathey, his friend Pat Sassic and another man were also on board as the pickup driver slammed his Ford into the back of the cart.
"It's just a shock, I mean you can see that wagon, it's got the reflector on the back and it has a flag on it," said Miller.
As for the donkeys, they are safely back at home as friends and family stop by to take care of them while their faithful owner recovers along with his passengers.
"We have a lot of prayer groups going and we wish him the best," said Miller.
Mathey remained in intensive care Saturday night. Miller said doctors are happy with his progress, but are unsure when he will be released.
There has been no word on the condition of any of Mathey's passengers.
According to authorities, 50-year-old Javier Renteria Munoz is the driver responsible for the accident.
He has been arrested and charged with five counts of intoxication assault and five counts of failure to stop and render aid.