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Local Businesses Help Double Amputee Marine With Car Repair

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- While fighting for our country Marine Corporal Marcus Dandrea lost both of his legs. The high cost of his medical expenses made the situation worse when he was faced with a car accident that cost more than he could afford to fix---and that's where a few good Samaritans stepped in.

Marcus Washington has more.

It's been nine months since Marcus Dandrea heard his car start.

"It's awesome. It's great," he said. "They fixed it up like brand new."

To hear his car start again comes with a tough story.

Back in October during a rain storm, Dandrea lost control of his car, nearly destroying it.

"They said the total cost would have been somewhere around $16,000 to fix it," he said.

Money Dandrea didn't have.

He lost both of his legs above the knee in an IED incident during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Rising medical costs have been financially tough for the husband and father of four.

"He purchased the vehicle from us, he got in an accident and needed some assistance in putting that car back together again," said Robert Fogarty, Sport Chevrolet.

"Sport Automotive decided to sell all the parts at cost. They had a few parts left over that they just gave to Marcus," said Jimmy Mudgett, Maryland Collision Center. "We did all the labor at cost and all the materials at cost."

That helped cut the cost of the repair for Dandrea nearly in half.

Owners of both of the companies that helped make this repair financially possible for Dandrea say it was the Marine's overwhelmingly positive attitude about life that made helping him an easy decision.

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