It’s heartbreaking anytime a first responder is injured in the line of duty. Trooper Mitchell Chappell was hurt while responding to a wreck Sunday and is in the critical care unit at a Jackson hospital.

The events surrounding his crash were incredibly unfortunate. Chappell lost control of his cruiser on the interstate and slammed into a stand of trees while traveling to an auto accident. A second trooper who was attempting to transport him to the hospital crashed and another trooper attempting to help them also crashed. All three cruisers were totaled and a sheriff’s deputy eventually got Chappell to the hospital.

Thankfully, the other two troopers were not injured and Chappell wasn’t injured further, according to officials.

The Brookhaven and Lincoln County community has come together to help the Chappell family.

Zach Harveston, a communications officer with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and MHP, started a gofundme account Monday to help with expenses the family will incur while Chappell is in the hospital. He said Amanda Chappell, a nursing supervisor with a home health care agency, is staying at the hospital with her husband.

The account has raised about $7,000 toward the goal of $10,000. There is also a fund set up at Regions Bank to help the family.

“He thinks about everyone else and people are trying to think about him,” MHP spokesman Cpl. Brandon Fortenberry said. “You’ve got people out of generosity, coming by the substation in Brookhaven, and handing over money so we can give it to the family. There’s a lot of people chipping in in this time of need.”

Chappell and his family will certainly need financial help as he recovers from this crash. They will also need your prayers. Those who are willing to put themselves in danger to help others deserve nothing less.