A Nocatee business owner is struggling to recover from a brain injury after being ejected from a golf cart when it was struck by a vehicle in February, according to his wife, Darlene Lane.
Joey Hobbs, owner of the popular Nocatee painting company Better Call Joey, was riding in a golf cart the evening of Feb. 4 when the crash occurred at the intersection of Valley Ridge Boulevard and Greenleaf Drive, she told The Citizen.
The cart was hit by a Jeep Cherokee while crossing the intersection, and Hobbs was ejected and landed on his head, she said.
Emergency crews transported him to Baptist Medical Center before he was later transferred to Memorial Hospital for additional treatment, according to the family.
“I was at home making dinner, just waiting for him to come home from work,” Darlene told The Citizen. “We worked so hard together to build this business up and it blossomed. Now, everything has been knocked out from under us.”
In the weeks since the crash, Hobbs has been undergoing intensive neurological care as doctors monitor the longterm impact of the injury.
His wife said the accident caused major neurological disruption, affecting his balance, vision, and cognitive functioning.
“He can’t even stay in the sun,” she said.
Hobbs is currently under the care of a neurologist and other specialists and attends medical appointments several days each week.
The injury has forced the temporary shutdown of the painting business, she said.
The family has launched a fundraising campaign to help them manage mounting expenses while he recovers.
“It’s really difficult,” Darlene said. “We’re months behind, and the bills just don’t stop. We’re trying our best to stay strong.”
