New Orleans attack victim with ties to Central Florida recovering: 'He's feeling pretty lucky'

SANFORD, Fla. - A man with connections to Central Florida is recovering after he survived the New Orleans attack. 

At least 14 people are dead, and 35 people were injured after a man drove a truck into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day in a terrorist attack, according to the FBI.

One of the victims who survived is Jeremi Sensky. He lives in Pittsburgh but spends the winter months in Sanford. Sensky's daughter said he underwent a 10-hour surgery after he was hit by the truck. She believes his wheelchair may have saved his life. 

"We feel very strongly that when the driver hit the wheelchair, he lost control and hit the crate. If there's anything that comes out of this, it's that, for whatever reason, my dad missed the gunfire, and he made it out alive," said Jeremi's Daughter, Heaven Sensky-Kirsch. "We are holding close to our hearts that him being hit likely saved others," she continued. 

Sensky's family tells FOX 35 Orlando that he is a quadriplegic. A crash in the 90s left him paralyzed from the neck down. A police officer helped get him up and to safety after the attack on New Year’s Day. 

"We're very grateful. There was a police officer named Patrick who stayed with my father," said Sensky-Kirsch. "The entire paramedics, the first responders, the emergency room doctors, the surgeons, they're the reason he's alive."

Sensky's family said he is still in the ICU and, while it will be a difficult recovery, because of his pre-existing conditions, he is in high spirits. His daughter said his goal is to get well enough to make it to his favorite Central Florida event, Sanford Porchfest in late February.  

"It is not surprising to me because I know what kind of person my dad is," said Sensky-Kirsch. "He has the best attitude in the world and I hope that folks out there that have heard this story can take some level of inspiration from this because if you're lucky enough to be alive we just hope that you all keep on keeping on."

The family set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses.