After discovering a flat tire on his bicycle, Dave Thomas walked to work on East Ridge Road toward the Limestone Parkway McDonald’s around 5 a.m. Sept. 14.

Making his way toward Old Cornelia Highway, Thomas recalled a minivan driving from behind that “nailed me,” he said. The Gainesville man said he crawled up from a ditch and tried to wave for the car’s attention.

The next thing Thomas heard was the tires screeching away from him.

“I can’t believe someone could just drive off,” Teresa King said after handing Thomas his gauze to rewrap his leg after surgery.

Georgia State Patrol and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office reported to the suspected hit-and-run, and Thomas was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for his injuries.

Thomas said he needed surgery in three different places on his ankle.

“I’m not even sure how much longer I’m going to be out of work for, because they really did a number,” Thomas said. “Three different surgeries in three days.”

The injuries have forced Thomas to use a walker, despite some eagerness to return to work.

“My leg can’t decide it wants to hurt up or down,” Thomas said

Thomas, who works as one of the managers at the Limestone Parkway McDonald’s, opened up the medical bills for the first time this week.

“It looks like, oh, oh,” he said, as he eyed the $58,495 number at the bottom of the notice.

Thomas said he believes the car was a dark-colored Chrysler or Dodge minivan.

“We have not located or identified the vehicle due to limited identifiers,” GSP Sgt. Anthony Coleman wrote in an email.

King is hoping to help raise funds for Thomas through a GoFundMe account.

Anyone else looking to help is asked to contact King at teresaking3835@yahoo.com.