It’s been two years since Keith Barnes, 39, of St. Paul, Minn. stopped to help college student Alicia Kaufenbery, 23, after her car flipped over on the highway. Barnes and another good samaritan, Marcus Andary, were carrying her to safety and all three were struck by a drunk driver, Eugene Michael Farrell, 63. Barnes and Kaufenberry lost a leg and Andary, 21, died. Farrell had a blood alcohol level of .09, slightly above the state’s legal limit of .o8. He was sentenced to a year in prison.
Barnes sustained head trauma, internal injuries and fractures to his legs, wrist, shoulder and pelvis. He was placed in an induced coma and had his leg amputated. Doctors told his family he would likely never smile again. They told him he would probably never cut hair again, “hurting [his] feelings.”
Having been in rehabilitation for two years, the heroic Barnes returned to work at the barber shop three months ago. If he could do it all over again, Barnes says he would still help Kaufenberg, but this time staying put until police arrive.
