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Saturday marks exactly one month since South Dakota State Trooper Andrew Steen was hit by a car, causing severe head trauma and a broken ankle.
As he sits in the hospital, his family speaks publicly for the very first time about their son's recovery about the huge community support.
"The support we've received as a family has just been overwhelming," Dan Steen said.
The last month has been a nightmare for Dan and his family, after his son Trooper Andrew Steen sustained a traumatic brain injury and shattered ankle after being hit by a car during a pursuit in Sioux Falls.
But the same people doctors credit for saving his life continue to give back.
EMTs from across the state, many of whom knew the trooper as a recruit, donate $5,000 to help the family at Sanford Hospital.
"What has meant more to us than anything is the community support and the prayers from Sioux Falls, the state of South Dakota and the governor of South Dakota," Dan Steen said.
In all, around $50,000 has been donated to the family as they stop their lives to stand by their son.
Dan Steen says the brain injury has been tough on the Trooper who still has at least two more months in the hospital.
"He doesn't believe it yet. He still doesn't believe he is injured. He doesn't believe he has a broken ankle so he's not quite sure why everyone is doing this," Dan Steen said.
Police say 25-year-old Rachel Coleman hit Steen with her vehicle during a drunken pursuit on October 17.
The investigative report says Steen and other deputies fired 23 shots as they tried to get Coleman to stop her vehicle.
It happened in the parking lot of a shopping center at the corner of 57th Street and Western Avenue. Investigators say Coleman ran Steen over even though he was yelling at her to stop her vehicle and firing his gun at her.
And while he still has a long way to go, his father says the community support helps the healing process.
"It has sped up his recovery. He's just doing good today. He's just made remarkable gains today," Dan Steen said.
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