Sgt. Cliff Trovillo continues to recover from injuries he suffered last year when he was hit by an alleged drunken driver.
Angela L. Feaster, of Sewell, was recently indicted for assault by auto.
She's accused of driving drunk with 3 kids in the car
Feaster allegedly crashed into Officer Cliff Trovillo's cruiser 10 months ago
Trovillo suffered from numerous broken bones and had to have a few surgeries
The officer doesn't think he'll be able to return to work
FRANKLIN TWP. -- Shannon Trovillo cringes every time someone asks her husband about the evening of Oct. 16, 2015.
Franklin Township Police Officer Cliff Trovillo was an hour and 15 minutes into his shift when a motorist slammed into his vehicle as he drove along Route 40.
"The car went dark," he recalled. The impact killed the Dodge Charger's battery and he realized he couldn't steer or stop the vehicle. His view was immediately obscured by his patrol car's crumpled hood. He felt the car falling down the embankment to the side of the road. He knows the area well and realized he was heading for the woods. He instinctively tried to protect himself from anything that might smash through the windshield. "It seemed like it was an eternity," he said.
Shannon feels like she's in the car with him when he retells the story.
"I would sit there and cringe every time because I would hear him relive this," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "How horrifying that must have been for him to be in that and live through it."
The 13-year veteran of the Franklin department was struck by Angela L. Feaster, of Sewell, who was driving with her three children when police say she disregarded a stop sign.
Feaster, who was charged with driving while intoxicated, broke an ankle and one of her kids suffered a bowel injury.
She was recently indicted on charges including assault by auto and endangering the welfare of a child.
Feaster's attorney did not return a call seeking comment about the case.
Trovillo's injuries were more extensive than previously reported, including two broken wrists, an ankle fractured in two places, a hip fracture, broken tailbone, a concussion and back injuries. He has undergone four surgeries and continues to struggle with mobility and pain issues. He cannot drive because of unresolved foot injuries -- including three toes on his right foot that he cannot move -- and he can only walk short distances.
When he goes out with his family, he lags behind. "I'm still hobbling," he said. "I get problems making it a long distance."
He even has trouble writing because of the wrist injuries.
Trovillo said he suffers from constant headaches, sleeping problems and shooting pains in several places.
Workers' compensation has already paid more than $100,000 to cover medical bills associated with his recovery.
Sitting in the family's living room, a heating pad on his back, the 38-year-old worries about what comes next. He doesn't know if he will ever be able to return to work.
"Honestly, that's the scary part," he said. "Not a single one of my doctors has given me any type of projected date."
He also cannot sit for long periods, meaning a desk job isn't an option, either.
For now, the township is holding his position open in case he can return. The township is covering part of his salary while workers' compensation pays a portion.
His wife had to give up her job at the local school in order to care for her husband.
She worries about the family's financial health.
"I don't have an income," Shannon said. "He's our breadwinner."
She now drives her husband to various doctor appointments around South Jersey, takes care of the household duties that he used to handle, still handles her own chores, and tries to keep life normal for their kids, ages 13 and 16.
Not being able to help with basic activities like carrying groceries has been hard for Cliff to accept. "It's just not normal," he said.
The timing of the accident could not have been worse.
Trovillo had returned to duty just days earlier after being out for a year recovering from an elbow fracture he suffered while coaching his son's ice hockey team in October 2014. That injury required two surgeries.
"October's not my good month," he joked.
That sense of humor has been a vital survival skill for the family.
Sometimes they can laugh about the day-to-challenges of activities like trying to open a potato chip bag while still recovering from wrist surgeries. "Sometimes it's funny and other times it's not," Shannon said. "We laugh about it because that's how we try to get through."
When she heard her husband was being airlifted to Cooper University Hospital following the crash, she feared the worst. "Please God, don't take him," she remembers saying as her father drove her to the hospital.
She is haunted by how close she came to losing her husband of nearly 16 years.
"He's my first boyfriend. He's my first love," she said.
The accident has affected every member of the household.
"He doesn't sleep, I don't sleep. I have horrible nightmares," Shannon said.
They have tried to shelter their kids from all that has happened, but that doesn't always work. While her husband was still hospitalized, Feaster was released on bail. Their older son couldn't understand why.
"He was angry," Shannon said. "We're teaching our kids right from wrong. He doesn't understand how someone did wrong, hurt his father and then is allowed to leave jail before he left the hospital."
Trovillo's K-9 partner was also sidelined by the crash. While 12-year-old German shepherd Ceno wasn't in the car when the accident occurred, he has remained off-duty, too, since his partner cannot work. Ceno is too old to be trained to work with a new partner, Trovillo explained.
"(Feaster) has pretty much ended his career, if not mine," he said.
In the weeks and months after the crash, the community responded to help the family.
"We can never put into words how much we appreciate everything that everybody has done for us," Shannon said.
School kids made cards, church members brought meals and people they didn't even know left gift cards in their mailbox. Fundraisers -- including a GoFundMe campaign launched by a fellow police officer -- provided much-needed assistance.
"Having the support and cards and wishes ... to know that there are still good people in this world ... that's what made it a little brighter each day," Shannon said. "To see the support was just awesome."
She has tried to write thank you cards to everyone, but some of those donors remain anonymous.
Cliff received a different kind of surprise recently when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. The new rank came three years after he originally began the process to test and interview for the promotion. Township committee recently agreed to the promotion and Police Chief Brian Zimmer surprised Trovillo with the news.
While the family was happy with the announcement, Shannon confessed to mixed emotions. Her husband earned his promotion, she said, but the news was bittersweet. "You're excited but what does this change? For us, it doesn't really change anything."
As the family continues its recovery, Cliff remains hopeful but realistic about his future.
He also remains interested in meeting a few people who were there for him the night of his crash.
He recalls two men helping him from his crushed vehicle. He also remembers a nurse stopping to assist.
"I wish I knew who they were," he said. "I'd like to shake their hand."
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.