TULSA, Okla. — Friends rally behind a Tulsa father who’s fighting for his life in the hospital.
Kevin Aebi is recovering after being badly beaten waiting for a shuttle leaving Oktoberfest.
“He’s just fun to be around,” said friend Kayla Doss.
“He’s awesome. He’s funny. He likes to be silly,” said friend Jen Holley.
Friends say he’s full of life, full of adventure, and completely loyal. 41-year-old Aebi is still in the hospital nearly two weeks after the attack.
“Literally it all happened in seconds. I felt like we were standing there for maybe 20 to 30 seconds when it all happened,” said friend Brent Wall.
Wall and Aebi were at Oktoberfest Oct. 24th around 12:45am. Jen Holley was also with them.
“He had no chance and I think he was knocked unconscious with that hit. I really do. Just the way he fell and then he didn’t move. He didn’t move,” said friend Jen Holley.
Holley and Wall said it happened while they tried to figure out the line situation at the shuttle stop near 20th and Jackson, when Bryce Eitel came out of nowhere and attacked Kevin.
Tulsa police say Eitel punched Aebi in the face. Aebi fell to knocked to the ground and police say Eitel continued to hit him several times. A registered nurse who saw the assault, started CPR on Aebi while first responders arrived.
Police say when they arrived at the shuttle stop Eitel said, “ I punched him in the face once.”
Aebi is still sedated in the hospital and has a slow journey to recovery. He’s having another surgery this week and doctors are slowly lowering his sedation. Eitel is charged with aggravated assault and battery.
Friends created a benefit softball tournament to pay for Kevin’s medical expenses. It’ll take place December 4th at the Challenger Sports Complex in Broken Arrow.
Friends also created a fund for donations. You can visit paypal.me/kevinstrong55. You can make out checks to Kevin Aebi/Kevin Strong First Bank of Pond Creek PO Box 58 Pond Creek, OK 73766.
Trending Stories:
- Police arrest man suspected of vandalizing cars with military decals
- DOWNLOAD the 2 News Oklahoma app for alerts
- Broken Arrow Police Officer shot while attempting to stop vehicle
- FOLLOW 2 News Oklahoma on Facebook
- Bell's Amusement Park is coming back
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
