New Orleans terror attack survivor with fractured limbs expresses gratitude for life: 'I'm fortunate'

Over 2 decades, Jeremi Sensky, who had his legs broken in an attack, has been paralyzed.

New Orleans terror attack survivor with fractured limbs expresses gratitude for life: 'I'm fortunate'
New Orleans terror attack survivor with fractured limbs expresses gratitude for life: 'I'm fortunate'

On New Year's Day in New Orleans, a deadly terror attack occurred, killing over a dozen people and injuring many more when the suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a vehicle into the crowd and opened fire.

Jeremi Sensky, a survivor, recounted his experience of lying on the ground and seeing his wheelchair's parts beside him while speaking to NBC News from a hospital bed.

He said he assumes he was struck by the truck.

Jeremi Sensky
Jeremy Senski (HEAVEN SENSKY)

Sensky, who has been paralyzed since 1999, stated that his wheelchair was completely bashed and pieces were scattered.

"So something hit me," he said.

He told ABC News that both of his legs were broken, but he also expressed feeling "lucky."

"I'm alive," he noted.

Jeremi Sensky and others
Jeremi Sensky and others (HEAVEN SENSKY)

According to Dr. Jeffrey Elder of the University Medical Center New Orleans, most of the patients at the facility had experienced "blunt trauma," while a small number had sustained gunshot wounds.

Paige Bryan, a survivor, described the experience of seeing people hit by a vehicle during an appearance on NewsNation's "Banfield" as "extremely traumatic."

Shamsud Din-Jabbar in a black shirt with graying beard and black hair
Shamsud Din-Jabbar pictured in an undated photograph released by the FBI after he attacked New Orleans' Bourbon Street with a pickup truck and died in a shootout with responding officers.  (FBI)

On Monday, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will visit New Orleans to console the families and community members affected by the January 1 attack and meet with local officials.

Planet Chronicle' Caroline McKee contributed to this report.

by Alex Nitzberg

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