GoFundMe accounts created for 20-year-old Crabtree man severely beaten with baseball bat
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Collision Shoppe owner Jason Mignogna says he was stunned Monday after learning that Justin Hayden, a worker at his Unity auto repair shop, was critically injured after being beaten outside his home in Crabtree.
“In today’s world, you really don’t know what to initially think, but anyone who has ever met Justin, you know he wouldn’t be involved in anything. … He’s just so kind-hearted, respectful and thoughtful,” Mignogna said.
Four people have been charged in the baseball bat attack.
Trooper Stephen Limani, a state police spokesman, said the assault was an apparent case of mistaken identity.
A relative of Hayden’s was the intended target, troopers said.
“So when it came out later Monday that (the assault) was a case of mistaken identity. I thought to myself … I knew it was like that and I also knew that we had to do something. He’d do anything for you. … He even helped me move,” Mignogna said.
Hayden’s co-workers at the repair shop where the 20-year-old has worked for two years as well as his family established GoFundMe accounts for his medical expenses. The family’s account is gofundme.com/justins-medicalhome-expenses, and the Collision Shoppe’s account is gofundme.com/f/help-for-justin-hayden.
By 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, the two accounts had surpassed $6,500 in donations.
“Talking with his relatives, he’s got a really long recovery road ahead. He’s already undergone a number of surgeries and supposed to have another one (Wednesday). … It’s just horrific to think this could happen to such a nice kid,” Mignogna said.
District Judge Frank Pallone denied bond Monday for the four suspects charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and conspiracy in connection with the beating, noting in court dockets they are “a danger to the community.” The suspects are Sarah A. Miller, 31, and Matthew J. White, 20, both of Greensburg, and Devon M. Allen, 25, and Treavair A. Green, 18, of Pittsburgh.
Trooper Stephen Rowe reported Hayden suffered fractures to his skull, ribs and left hand and multiple lacerations, including one above his left eye, in connection with the assault at 11:48 p.m. Sunday at his home along Route 119. Hayden was going in and out of consciousness as he was interviewed before being taken to AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville.
Rowe reported in court documents that Hayden told troopers he did not know the four people who attacked him.
“(Hayden said) that he walked outside of his residence to clean up trash and was jumped by four unknown individuals,” Rowe said.
Troopers searched the area past midnight but did not locate the attackers. A surveillance video was obtained showing a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu with four occupants pulling into the area at the time of the assault. Four suspects were arrested within two hours at Miller’s residence in the 300 block of Westminster Avenue in Greensburg after troopers obtained the car’s license plate from the surveillance tape.
Preliminary hearings for the four are tentatively scheduled Monday before Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak.
Mignogna said that since Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center instructor Mike Weinell recommended Hayden, a Derry Area graduate, he’s worked his way up from auto detailer to vehicle disassembly technician. Mignogna said Hayden has been rehabilitating a house in the area “that he plans on moving into with his mom.”
“He’s really become my go-to guy because of his expertise,” Mignogna said. “We can’t wait to get him back.”
Hayden’s family members were not available for comment.