Family of Cajun singer and songwriter speak out about 'near-death experience'

SCOTT, La. (KLFY) – Last month, Cajun singer and songwriter, Johnny Sonnier, was involved in a freak accident that nearly took his life.

While working on a vehicle that was on a ramp, Johnny says the ramp gave away, and the vehicle fell, trapping Johnny underneath the car between the tire and boards. Johnny says he passed out after being smothered by the car. "I laid down and I got underneath. When I went to put the cable back it jumped out of gear, out of park and rolled back on top of me," said Sonnier. That's what broke my nose and smothered me because I couldn't breathe."

Johnny's son, Nicholas Brasseaux, says he was working on the front of the car when he says he saw his father was trapped underneath, and tried to help him get from under it. "I was in the front and when it shifted out of gear it started rolling back and hurried up and got from underneath it, but it was too late for him," said Brasseaux. He couldn't get out fast enough."

It took several family members to finally lift the car and pull Johnny out. Johnny was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered he had broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, and has also lost mobility in his right arm. While in the hospital, Johnny also was diagnosed with pneumonia. One week later, he was released from the hospital.

Johnny's wife, Winnie Cormier, says this was one of the most horrifying situations she's ever had. She says she is grateful that her husband is still alive. "We almost lost him last year cause he had an aneurysm that ruptured in his stomach," said Sonnier. Then again this year with this so we've been fortunate. God has spared him twice for us."

Johnny is now at home, recovering. He is currently on oxygen and will need to have shoulder replacement surgery. He says he hopes to be back on his feet by next year. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for his medical bills.

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