On Sunday, October 20 physical education teacher and wrestling coach John Aebly of Sachem Central School District was involved in a road rage incident in West Babylon. From a roadway incident, the two drivers drove into a strip mall, where they both exited their cars and engaged in an altercation near Gino’s Pizzeria on Route 109.
Patrick Loughlin (one of the drivers) allegedly got back into his vehicle, ramming into Aebly’s car three times, before running him over. Loughlin then fled the scene, leaving Aebly with serious injuries to his spinal cord.
Loughlin was later arrested and pleaded not guilty to the assault charges. According to police reports, this occurred in First District Court in Central Islip where the bail was set at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond. Loughlin’s attorney, Robert Schalk, told CBS News that, “All the facts will come out, and there are more witnesses and more facts that I think mitigate this case as it pertains to my client.”
As of Tuesday, November 26, the GoFundMe campaign had already raised over $135,000. In addition, John Sarno, owner of the Village Idiot Pub, is organized a fundraiser at his bar and restaurant on November 2. Sarno wanted to help, after hearing the news from a mutual friend of Aebly’s wife stating, “He was always a nice guy who was into physical fitness. He was handsome and resembled a superhero. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, but he is very liked and regarded.”
As of October 24, Aebly is still in the ICU, recovering. It is reported that he has no feeling or movement in his legs as a result of the injury to his spinal cord. The GoFundMe in support of Aebly can be found at: https://gofund.me/7bd5ff33
