'I never would have thought something like this was possible'

Matt and his wife, Nicole, enter the Governor's Inn ballroom to a warm welcome on Sunday during a fund-raiser to support his recovery from an October hit and run crash. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Just three and a half months after he almost died in a hit and run crash while jogging on North Main Street Matt Lefebvre entered the grand ballroom of the Governor's Inn on Sunday to an explosion of cheers for his continued recovery.

Lefebvre, walking comfortably on just a cane, took his time easing gently around the room, chatting with friends and well wishers.

He told The Rochester Voice he was thunderstruck by the turnout and support he has received from friends and absolute strangers.

Matt Lefebvre chats with family and friends at his benefit at the Governor's Inn Sunday.

"This is absolutely amazing," he said looking around at the crowd and the scores of silent and live auction items donated to raise money to help support his recovery. "To see the community coming together like this, I never would have thought something like this was possible."

Lefebvre said he had recently stopped using a walker and was getting around the house very well with just a cane. He said there are still some serious internal injuries in his upper body, but that he is getting more mobile as he

An array of donated silent auction items were up for grabs as part of the fund-raiser.

continues his recovery at home.

"I have seen quite a bit of improvement in just the past few weeks," he said.

In the meantime, he continues his physical and occupational therapy and hopes to begin doing some swimming soon "to help build up my strength."

More than 200 well wishers, family and friends attended the fund-raiser, which was organized in large part by Kendall Spewock of Admiral Property LLC.

She said on Wednesday they had sold their last available ticket to the benefit gala, which was catered by a handful of Rochester eateries including Revolution Taproom and Grill, Mitchell Hill BBQ, Mr. Sippy's BBQ, Fallen Leaf Bistro, Porters Pub and Lilac City Grille.

Lefebvre was jogging a little before 6 a.m. on Oct. 11 when he was struck while crossing a street near Burger King on North Main Street.

He suffered three spinal cord injuries, nine broken ribs, a broken sternum and clavicle, a punctured lung, nerve damage to his left side and a severe laceration that went from ear to ear on top of his head that took 25 staples to stop the bleeding.

Meanwhile, Joyce Howard, 69, of Rochester has been charged with conduct after an accident, a Class B felony. Her case is still awaiting possible indictment once the investigation is completed, Assistant County Attorney Emily Garod said on Thursday. January's grand jury will not convene due to COVID concerns.