A victim of one of the recent shootings in Montgomery will receive a new $100,000 handicap-accessible van courtesy of a local car dealership. Toyota of Montgomery announced that it is donating the van free of charge.
Amy Dicks was presented with the vehicle today at the dealership. This comes after months of extensive rehabilitation treatment in a Georgia medical facility following the shooting.
Brett Sutherlin, CEO of Sutherlin Automotive Group, which owns Toyota of Montgomery, acknowledged that Amy’s new van is a slight comfort compared to the hardships she has experienced.
“We are profoundly touched by Amy Dicks’ strength and courage,” Sutherlin said. “Providing her with this accessible van is a small gesture to help someone who has faced such tremendous adversity.”
“After meeting her and understanding her situation, it became clear how vital this support is. Our thoughts and support are with her and her family during this time,” he added.
RELATED: New federal, state task force charged with active role in Montgomery crime crackdown
On April 12, Dicks was in her car traveling on the Atlanta Highway when she was caught in an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles, resulting in a bullet striking her spine. Dicks posted on social media about the gut-wrenching event that left her paralyzed.
“All of a sudden, I heard multiple gunshots, seemed like thousands,” wrote Dicks. “I ducked my head trying to look around to see if I could tell what was going on. It was so weird because there were so many and out of nowhere it caught me off guard.”
“Then that’s when it happened, a bullet entered my driver’s window, pierced my shoulder, went through my side, hit a rib, my lung, and then severed my spinal cord.
“As my body convulsed and everything was in slow motion, I knew I wasn’t going to make it,” she wrote.
So far, five suspects from Prattville and Millbrook have been arrested in connection with the shooting that paralyzed Dicks. According to police, the investigation is ongoing.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
