Pocahontas, IL (KSDK) - A benefit will be held this weekend for four men hit by a carwhile doing road work on Interstate 64.
The benefit will be held at Lenjo's in Pocahontas, Illinois. It begins at 3 p.m. and will feature live music, a basket raffle, games, a dessert stand, and more.
On May 22, 2012 Dennis Beard, Adam Evans, Kory Links, and Brian Moore were working near Illinois 159 in O'Fallon, Illinois when they were struck by a 2000 Honda Accord driven by 34-year-old Michael Jeter.
Beard, 28, died. The other three suffered serious injuries.
For the first time we are hearing from the three construction workers seriously injured in the deadly crash on I-64 near Fairview Heights.
The surviving workers and a widow are hoping to send a loud and clear message.
"This has changed my life and my three kids' life forever and it could have been prevented," said Josie Beard of Pocahontas, Illinois.
She lost her husband and the father of their three young children after a devastating crash on I-64 in Fairview Heights on May 22nd.
"We were going out on the interstate to do our morning setup and it ended quite abruptly," said Adam Evans, who was injured in the crash.
A driver slammed into a road crew in a work zone seriously injuring three men and killing 38 year old Dennis Beard.
"My friends, they were devastated. I am glad they are alive. I am glad I am alive I wish he (Dennis Beard) was here," said Kory Links.
He was in the hospital being treated for his injuries when he found out his uncle, best friend, and co-worker was killed.
"Part of me died when he past because I have always been there for him and he has always been there for me and it's tough," said Links.
"It's amazing I think after seeing pictures of the accident how any of us are still here," said Brian Moore.
He spent three weeks in ICU and six weeks in rehab. He's in a wheelchair but is hopeful he will walk again.
"If the driver would have simply been paying attention and not speeding in a work zone this would have never happened," said Josie Beard.
The investigation into the crash continues and the driver has not yet been charged. Illinois State Police are still waiting for toxicology reports to come back before concluding its investigation.
"He deserves at the very least to get his driver's license taken away. I don't know how someone could be let out on the road right now driving once you killed someone and injured three other people. I hope that he gets what he deserves as a lesson to everyone else too," said Josie Beard.
On Friday Josie, Brian, Adam, and Kory were getting ready for the benefit that will raise money for Josie, her family, and the three men who are now facing expensive medical bills.
"I cannot believe people are so kind and so generous to people they don't even know. It's helped me through this and I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it all from everybody," said Josie Beard.
For more information on the benefit, visit the I-64 Fallen & Injured Workers' Benefit Facebook page.
KSDK