A routine day on a tree crew in Gwinnett County turned life changing in a split second for a 21-year-old Lawrenceville worker, who is now paralyzed from the shoulders down after a dead branch fell and crushed his neck on Friday. The young father, who has a 1-year-old son named June, is in the hospital as neighbors and fellow workers rally around him with fundraisers and prayers. Loved ones say his future is uncertain and likely to be expensive, with long-term medical care and major accessibility changes now on the horizon.
According to local reporting, Parker is being treated at Northside Hospital Gwinnett, where his parents described the aftermath of the accident as devastating. “It’s the hardest word hearing paralyzed and quadriplegic,” his mother, Kesha Guzman, told reporters, according to WSB‑TV. Family and friends told the station Parker was wearing a helmet when the limb struck, something they believe likely kept the outcome from being even worse. They also said his insurance coverage is limited, leaving the family bracing for steep rehabilitation costs and extensive home-modification work.
Friends And Tree Service Owner Step Up
One of the people stepping in is a friend and former co-worker, Dakota Roberts of Southern Roots Tree Service and Grading. Roberts said he was still in shock over what happened and told reporters he plans to donate 5 to 10 percent of his company’s sales to Parker’s family, according to Atlanta News First. He said safety is always front and center in tree work, yet some hazards can stay hidden until the moment they come crashing down. Atlanta News First also reports that Parker’s family has launched a GoFundMe, and that community organizers are putting together a car, bike and truck fundraiser for May 16 at 189 W Athens St. in Winder to pull in more support.
Fundraising And Immediate Needs
The family’s GoFundMe campaign focuses first on immediate needs and then on the long haul. As of Feb. 25, 2026, the page lists $25,891 raised toward a $100,000 goal. The organizer says the money will help pay for medical bills, rehabilitation, specialized equipment and home accessibility upgrades for Parker and his family, according to the fundraiser page. Dozens of neighbors and fellow tree workers have already chipped in, and organizers say the May 16 event will send its proceeds to the same fund. For details or to donate, see the family’s GoFundMe.
Why Tree Work Is So Dangerous
Federal and industry safety guidance has long flagged tree care as a high-risk line of work, where falls and “struck-by” incidents, when workers are hit by falling limbs or trees, are among the most common causes of severe injury and death. OSHA’s enforcement guidance for tree-care operations instructs inspectors to look closely at fall and struck-by hazards and to check whether employers are following safety rules. Industry reporting has documented hundreds of fatal incidents in recent years, and trade coverage notes that contact with objects or equipment is a leading cause of death for arborists. These findings are drawn from federal and industry sources including OSHA and Tree Care Industry Magazine.
How To Help And What Comes Next
Organizers say the May 16 car, bike and truck fundraiser, along with the GoFundMe, is aimed at covering both Parker’s immediate medical needs and the long-term costs of rehabilitation and accessibility. For the latest details on the event and the donation link, they point people to the GoFundMe page and the coverage from Atlanta News First. Family and friends are asking for privacy as they manage Parker’s care and are asking for “a lot of prayers” as they prepare for what they know will be a long recovery road.
