After hit-and-run, friends help make sure ‘Roman’s Got This’

By JESSICA D’AMICO
Staff Writer

 Roman Stefaniw Sr. of Edison stands with his son of the same name during a December exhibit in Metuchen where the younger Roman had exhibited his work. Roman Jr., 31, of Fords, was hit by an SUV on his bicycle July 5, and remains in the hospital. The driver fled the scene.  PHOTO COURTESY OF DOROTHY RASMUSSEN Roman Stefaniw Sr. of Edison stands with his son of the same name during a December exhibit in Metuchen where the younger Roman had exhibited his work. Roman Jr., 31, of Fords, was hit by an SUV on his bicycle July 5, and remains in the hospital. The driver fled the scene. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOROTHY RASMUSSEN A devastating accident that forced a local family to see humanity at its worst is now also showing them just how wonderful people can be.

Roman Stefaniw was riding his bike near Route 1 and Grandview Avenue in Edison in the late evening hours of July 5. The next thing he knew, he was in a hospital bed, suffering from catastrophic injuries.

The 31-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend Melissa Peterson in the Fords section of Woodbridge, was hit by a compact SUV that police said they believe was a 2015 Lexus NX. After striking Stefaniw, the driver sped off.

Roman Stefaniw Sr. had just gotten to his Edison home for the evening when he heard the police banging on his window, he said. Officers delivered the news that his son had been badly hurt. He raced to the hospital, with his mind racing even faster.

“I just went into shock,” Roman Sr. said.

Peterson and Roman Jr.’s mother, Metuchen Councilwoman Dorothy Rasmussen, arrived at the hospital shortly thereafter, and the three waited while doctors worked to save Roman Jr.’s life.

“They weren’t sure if he was going to make it; they said he had a 50-50 chance,” Roman Sr. said. “It was a nightmare. It was one of those nights you’ll never forget.”

Rasmussen agreed.

“The first 24 hours were certainly critical,” she said, adding that they had to wait nine hours to see Roman Jr. for the first time after the accident.

“It was not something you want to see,” Roman Sr. said. “I couldn’t believe I was looking at my son like this.”

It would be two weeks before they could actually talk with him, Rasmussen said.

That didn’t stop Peterson from talking to him, however. She made a practice of reading to him all the messages of support from friends, coworkers and others posted on social media. Now that he’s awake, she said, he reads them himself to pass the time and lift his spirits in the hospital.

“He definitely feels that and it makes a big, big difference,” Peterson said. “It’s really incredible.”

As Roman Jr. underwent a bevy of treatments and surgeries to deal with his injuries, the community at large mobilized to help. Whether bringing food to Peterson and the family, providing words of support or raising funds to help with medical bills, people have reached out to show that they care. Peterson said a sort of inside joke she and Roman Jr. shared was when she would mimic the TV show title “Everybody Loves Raymond” and say “Everybody loves Roman.”

“I would always say [it], and it’s very, very true,” she said. “The community has just surrounded him.”

On July 31, local musician Danny Adlerman hosted Rockin’ for Roman, dedicating his recurring open mic event to the fellow musician and requesting donations from attendees at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse. The event was so well attended that it went on for seven hours, according to Adlerman.

“It just showed me how many people care for him,” Roman Sr. said of the turnout at the event. “He has a lot of friends out there, and that made me feel good.”

On Aug. 8, the schoolhouse, 491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, will again play host to an event for Roman Jr. — who is not only a singer-songwriter and guitarist, but has also followed in the footsteps of his paternal grandmother and great-grandmother to become an artist. Dubbed “Roman’s Got This,” the fundraiser is designed to help make the tagline a reality.

Peterson got involved in organizing the event, which she said promises to be a great one. Starting at 1 p.m., a full day and night of live entertainment and food will benefit Roman Jr.’s recovery fund.

Doors open at 12 p.m., and the last act will take the stage at 9 p.m.

While the event is free to attend, donations are encouraged. In addition, a number of local restaurants are donating food for the fundraiser. Just a few participating eateries are Hailey’s Harp & Pub, Civile Cucina Italiana, Cafe Vaaza, and To Be Continued … Bookstore, Boutique & Café, among others.

Peterson said the outpouring of support dictated that the event run throughout the day and evening.

“So many people wanted to play and help, and I still had to turn people away,” she said, adding, “It’s going to be a great time.” Musical acts will include Mike Porrino, Brittney Dixon, Leander Galimba, Alejandro Ataucusi, Asecnir Ch, Bryan Bernard Hansen, Glenn Garr, Steve Beal, Matthew Telliho and Renee Maskin.

Rasmussen said the support means a great deal to the family.

“I always knew that Metuchen was a close-knit community, and I always knew they came out to help those in need,” she said. “I am grateful to live somewhere where everyone treats you like family.”

Another fundraiser is set for Aug. 9. Aside from the donations being collected at Sakula Yoga Studio, 325 Main St., Metuchen, a special class will be offered at 1 p.m. that day to raise more funds. Attendees are asked to give a donation as their admission fee, with 100 percent of proceeds going directly to Roman Jr.

Peterson said once they are past the recovery, she and Roman Jr. will seek out a way to “pay it forward” to others for all the help being offered to them.

Rasmussen explained that if police don’t track down the driver who hit her son and left him lying injured in the roadway, it will be up to the family to pay all the medical bills, which is why the fundraising is such a help.

Still, she said the inhumanity of the hitand run is unfathomable, and she hopes someone comes forward with information on the driver.

“We want people to kind of start thinking about stuff, because someone has to know something,” she said.

Roman Sr. said an auxiliary police officer was at the scene when his son was hit, but could not get a full description of the vehicle. A headlight that fell off the SUV in the impact provided some help with that, he added.

Among the many injuries suffered by the prolific artist and musician was major damage to his right hand, Roman Sr. said.

“Everything he does is with his right hand,” he said, referring to his son’s painting and guitar playing. “His whole life is going to change from this.”

Even so, his father expressed faith in the younger Roman that he will somehow learn to adapt to do the things he loves most. “He’s going to figure a way out of this,” he said.

Rasmussen agreed.

“I think because he’s a young, healthy person, he’s responding well, but he’s got a long road ahead,” she said.

To donate to Roman Jr.’s recovery fund, visit https://squareup.com/market/boroughimprovementleague/specialdonationroma….