Gwinnett County man hit, paralyzed by falling tree limb during work

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County family is leaning on community support as a 21-year-old man fights to recover after what they describe as a devastating and unexpected accident while doing work.

Evan Parker was working when a large tree limb fell and struck him in the head. A coworker told the family the limb snapped from high above and came crashing down.

Family members explained that the impact was severe. The limb, weighing about 25 pounds, fell roughly 60 feet and broke Evan’s neck.

Inside the family’s home, photos of Evan line the walls. His mother, Kesha Guzman, said those memories have taken on new meaning as he continues treatment in the hospital.

“Even through all of this, when he is awake, he’s trying to keep us calm,” Guzman said. “He’s trying to keep us happy and laughing and that’s Evan.”

Doctors have told the family Evan is currently paralyzed from the neck down.

His father, Laren Parker, said the reality of the situation has been difficult for everyone close to him.

“I’m scared,” he said. “Scared for him. I’m scared for his mom. I’m scared for the whole family.”

Family members said Evan was more than just a typical 21-year-old. He is also a father to a 1-year-old son named June.

“That is the love of Evan’s life,” Laren Parker said. “That is his purpose.”

Before the accident, Evan worked as an arborist and loved climbing trees on the job. His parents said that determination hasn’t disappeared.

After doctors removed his ventilator, they said his first words showed how determined he is to recover.

“He took the ventilator out and that’s the first thing he said, ‘I’m ready to go work again, I’m ready to climb,’” his father said. “And I said, ‘Boy, you’re crazy,’ but hey, if he wants to climb, you let him climb, but we’re going to climb to recovery.”

Despite the severity of the accident, Evan’s family said his helmet likely saved his life.

Now, friends, relatives and members of the community are rallying around the family as Evan begins what is expected to be a long recovery.

“Evan is one of the best people you could ask to work with. He’s a hard-working man who will push as hard as ever possibly needed to provide for his family … Years ago Evan found out his loving girlfriend was pregnant with their beautiful baby boy. Evan knew he had to do something bigger to provide for his family. He came to me and asked for work so I let him split firewood. Over time I let him work some tree jobs with me and also got him in connection with some other people to work with as well,” said Dakota Roberts, owner of Southern Roots Tree Service.

While Roberts said Evan wasn’t working for him at the time of the incident, he will donate 5 to 10% of his proceeds every year to him for life.

“I promised Evan when I first got to see him in the hospital that I will make sure that his family is taken care of while he is down,” Roberts said. “That’s my best friend — more like my brother, and I will do anything in the world to help him and his family through these difficult times. We love you Evan — from my family to yours. We will always be here to help you get through this. Stay strong brother.”

An online fundraiser has been created to help cover medical expenses. A link to the fundraiser is available here.