BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A longtime City of Belleville employee is in the hospital after being critically injured by an SUV while setting up for the city's annual Santa Claus Parade on Friday.
Those who know 64-year-old David Harris describe him as hard-working and compassionate.
On Tuesday afternoon, Harris' family told 5 On Your Side that he was still in critical condition.
"You don't want that to happen to anyone. It definitely hits close to home when it happens to somebody you know. It's quite shocking to hear," said Belleville Public Works Director Jason Poole.
Harris has been an employee of the Public Works Department for nearly 36 years. He currently works as a foreman for the Belleville Street Department.
"He was always willing to go above and beyond. Anything you asked him to do, he would do for the city," Poole said.
The Belleville Police Department said officers responded to the collision at around 6:52 a.m. on Nov. 29. Harris was putting up barricades in preparation for the Santa Claus Parade.
He was walking across South Illinois Street at Washington street, near City Hall, when a black Dodge Journey struck him.
"One of our other coworkers was with him at the time and waited, called 911, and waited for police and EMTs to arrive at the scene," Poole said.
Harris is receiving treatment at a St. Louis hospital, officers said. The driver remained on the scene and fully cooperated with the department's investigation.
Poole said the entire Public Works Department is heartbroken as doctors try to save the life of their longtime Street Department employee.
"Belleville's a great big small town, as our slogan says. The Street Department has 15 employees, so everybody knows everybody, and it's a difficult situation. A difficult situation for him and his family and a difficult situation for his coworkers as well," Poole said.
Public Works employees have been collecting donations to help his family with meals while Harris remains in the hospital.
"Wish for a speedy recovery, and keep him in your thoughts. If you're a praying person, send out some prayers in his direction because he needs all the help he can get. I'd like to see him back in his city truck eventually," Poole said.
Since the incident, Poole said he's been staying in contact with Harris' wife.
"They've just been giving me updates on how he's doing and asking for prayers and thoughts. And I've been sharing that with some of his coworkers who've asked about him," he said.
Harris' family told 5 On Your Side this has been very tough for them, but they're taking it day by day.
"David Harris has been an employee of the City of Belleville Public Works Department for nearly 36 years," Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory said. "He is a hard worker and a kind man. I am keeping Dave and his family in my thoughts and prayers. We are hoping our community will do the same."