Robert Spearman: Detroit comedian Foolish nearly paralyzed in hit-and-run accident
Detroit funnyman Robert Spearman was in a tragic hit-and-run accident that landed him in the ER, leaving him nearly paralyzed. Known for his quick wit and infectious sense of humor, Spearman — who goes by the stage name Foolish — opened up about the incident on his Instagram account less than a week ago and has since kept his fans updated about his recovery, with inspirational posts about how even though he has to "quit standup for a minute", he's will "never stop grinding."
News of Spearman's accident comes after comedian Tony Baker's 21-year-old son was killed in a car crash earlier this month. The same week, comedian and actor Trevor Moore also died, while his family mourned his tragic and sudden loss. A month ago, podcast star Mathew George was also killed in a hit and run accident. While the identity of who hit Spearman hasn't been revealed, the comedian did not shy away from sharing description of the vehicle that hit him. Revealing the location of the accident, Spearman warned the driver through an Instagram post: "I’m gonna find u".
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Spearman opened up about his accident to Fox News, telling them how lucky he got, unlike some people he knows. "I’m lucky. I’m blessed," said Spearman. "But friends of mine have lost daughters, sons, all because of people driving crazy out here. They're not driving crazy across Eight Mile. They’re driving crazy in the hood." The longtime Detroit WJLB radio host was left injured while driving up near Joy Road on Detroit’s west side last Wednesday, August 25. He was on his way to perform at a comedy show when he was struck by another driver.
"A guy blows the yield sign going 60 or more and hits my Charger. spins me around and leaves me for dead," the comedian told the outlet, adding that he tried to tail the driver to get his plate number but lost the racing vehicle to the M-39 Southfield freeway. Revealing that his damaged vehicle couldn't keep up, Spearman added: "So when I pulled over, my whole right side was paralyzed. I couldn’t even do nothing." He was reportedly found on the shoulder of the freeway by Michigan State Troopers who got him an ambulance to the hospital. "So I had a spinal cord operation which released a lot of the tension that was going on, on the right side of my body, to where I could walk again," he said.
Meanwhile, Detroit police have been trying to curb reckless driving in neighbourhoods across the city, not just the freeways. Revealing how the accident left him unable to perform in the near future, Spearman also urged people to spread awareness about reckless driving. "When you talk about car accidents that you can prevent, it’s the most ignorant thing I see out there on the street," he said. "I just want people to wake up, and stop acting like this is regular. This isn't regular."
On Instagram too, he has been vocal about the accident and the newer model white Jeep Grand Cherokee that allegedly hit him. The first post of his accident shared by Spearman sees him tell his fans and followers: "Devil hit me today and left me for dead... white new Jeep Cherokee wit front in damage..off Granville.. I’m gonna find u..Dr said I’m gonna have to quit standup for a minute.."
The next post is a video where Spearman thanks his followers and well wishers for prayers, sharing the happy news that he was finally able to walk that day. The posts are almost three days apart, and the video was captioned: "We walked today and we gone be even stronger Devil been lieing all my life..Thank you all for the strength in prayer..I never stop grinding @dc.curry.18 appreciation strength from 1 conversation... they said my brain still on crazy"
In the days since the accident, Spearman has also shared Google images resembling the vehicle that hit him. "Any shop got one of these in the last couple days wit front end damage.. get in contact wit me ASAP..left me for dead.. and I wanna see if u real enough to turn ya self in before Karma come," he wrote in the caption.
In the last 12 hours, Spearman also revealed that he is struggling to cover his medical bills and hence, a GoFundMe has been set up while he takes it slow and recovered. "didn’t think we were doing rehabilitation but God’s plan is take my time...the woke understand .. and I always work for mine.. appreciation on all levels for the real ones 💯... My insurance didn’t cover it all..my fault I didn’t scam just working," the comedian told his followers.