Spoke with the owner of the market earlier.

I live close by. It’s “my bodega.” I’m there a few times a week, and I buy flowers for The Lady from them regularly.

Everyone’s still in shock. It’s very somber in there at the moment. They’re understandably shaken and thinking about their injured friends.

Stop in if you can to check in and just remind them all to take lots of deep breaths.

Ali’s son stopped in earlier with an update on his father:

He had two broken bones in his leg, femur and ankle. He also had internal bleeding inside his skull. He underwent surgery yesterday. He’s still on a respirator and isn’t communicating.

He’s 63 years old.

The owner has known him for 20 years. He kept looking up to the sky in prayer for his friend as we spoke.

Now, here’s the worst part:

The accident happened just before 7 AM. 6:58, I believe I read or heard somewhere.

Ali was sweeping up the sidewalk in front of the flower stall after setting up the display for the day when he was hit.

He usually gets off at 7.

Previously

——————————————————————–

UPDATE 6/27:

He’s still in a coma.