Disabled vet killed in Brockton accident helped pioneer spinal-cord medicine
By Maria Papadopoulos
GateHouse News Service
Posted Oct 26, 2011
Taunton —
Edwin Nelson survived fierce battles as a Marine serving in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, the height of the war, his family said.
Then, in 1975, Nelson broke his neck in an accident that occurred during military maneuvers in North Carolina, said his former wife, Josephine Yungk of Enfield, Conn. The spinal cord injury led to other complications, including the amputation of both of his legs, she said.
“It was a freak accident. He’s been in a wheelchair ever since,” said Yungk, 61.
Nelson’s challenging life came to a tragic end Monday afternoon, when Nelson was struck and killed by a Hyundai Elantra as he tried to cross Belmont Street, Route 123, in his motorized wheelchair.
Police identified the driver as Frank Dernoga, 26, of 11 Stanley Ave., Taunton, who was alone in the car. Police said Tuesday they did not know yet if Dernoga would face charges.
Nelson, 65, had started crossing the street against the streetlight, witnesses said. He was knocked off his wheelchair near the crosswalk and rolled into the street. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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