A local church is helping a LaFayette family raise funds for hospital bills their nephew incurred after he was seriously injured while helping a motorist.

William “Donnie” Floyd, a 42-year-old truck driver from Calhoun, was electrocuted Oct. 28 when he tried to help an injured motorist. He has no health insurance to cover bills for his three-month stay at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, said his aunt, Toma Saine. His workman’s compensation declined to pay his medical bills.

Noble Baptist Fellowship is holding a chili supper, auction and benefit for Floyd on Saturday at 6 p.m. behind the old LaFayette High School band room. The Gospel Valley Boys, Millionaires, Fryes and Georgia Mountain Boys will provide music. Everyone is invited, and all donations will be appreciated, Saine said.

Floyd was driving on U.S. 411, north of Tennga, when he saw a vehicle had struck a utility pole and skidded down an embankment, his aunt said. As he climbed up the embankment, a live power line struck him, sending 15,000 volts of electricity through his body and setting him on fire.

Doctors treated his burns, amputated his right leg and have struggled to save his right arm, Saine said. The motorist was killed in the accident.

“We give all credit to the Lord for his ongoing recovery,” Saine said.

He has been going to rehabilitative therapy since his release from the hospital last week, she said. He attended Noble Baptist Fellowship on Sunday.

Floyd’s mother used to live in LaFayette. His aunt, Wanda Huey, and uncles Joe and Lebron Cooper still do, she said. Floyd is married and has two children. Georgia Bank and Trust in Calhoun set up a fund for him, she said.

Floyd needs a wheelchair ramp. Saine asks anyone who would help build a wheelchair ramp to call her at K-mart at (706) 638-1299 or Floyd at (706) 602-8940