‘Sweetest’ Publix worker gets hit by car after shift. Florida community rallies to help

A Publix worker who is “such a joy” to see was hit by a car while leaving his shift in Florida and sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Now, the community is rallying to help Kenneth Burnett recover.

Burnett was crossing a street to get to his bus stop after work on Feb. 6 when he was struck by a minivan, according to a report from the Ocala Police Department.

He was rushed to an intensive care unit with injuries to his brain. The Arc Marion County, an organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, shared the news of the crash.

“Sadly, Kenneth (who received Supported Employment services as an ARC client) has been in a tragic accident,” the organization wrote in a Feb. 8 Facebook post. “Kenneth is an employee at Publix and lives independently in his apartment. Unfortunately, he has no other source of income.”

The organization is raising money to help Burnett cover his costs of living.

The post was shared nearly a thousand times in four days as the community expressed its fondness for a local figure.

“Praying for him. He’s the sweetest. Such a joy (to) see him when I go to Publix,” one person wrote on Facebook.

Former coworkers and those who saw him while doing their grocery shopping described him as a great person and friend.

“We know him from Publix, such a nice guy,” another patron wrote on Facebook. “We were so sorry to hear about his accident.”

Burnett underwent brain surgery due to bleeding but had no broken bones, Marvel Montford told McClatchy News in a phone interview.

“He’s surprised us all. He’s strong,” his supported living coach said on Feb. 13, adding that Burnett’s been talking and recognizing faces as he begins rehabilitation.

He’s making progress and will take recovery one day at a time, Montford said.

Burnett was working two jobs, juggling shifts at Publix and a manufacturing company. His employers described him as a hard worker who was “a pleasure to work with.”

“I like to help people, and having a job allows me to pay my bills,” Burnett said in an interview published in Capital Soup, adding he’s made lots of friends through work.

In a video update on Burnett’s condition, Arc Marion community engagement coordinator Rhonda Kincaid thanked the Ocala community for its support.

“Ocala you have really come through for us, you’ve really come through for Kenny,” Kincaid said. “He deserves our help.”

The organization also held a yard sale to raise money for Burnett, aiming to cover a few months of rent as he recovers in a hospital. In 24 hours, the group met half its fundraising goal, Kincaid said.

“He is such an asset to Publix and he has been an amazing client, and so many people have told us what a great friend he is and person in the community,” said Courtney Salem, Burnett’s supportive employment coach at Arc Marion. “So many people know him.”

This story was originally published February 12, 2024 at 1:22 PM with the headline "‘Sweetest’ Publix worker gets hit by car after shift. Florida community rallies to help."