HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- It has been almost one year since Chemung County Sheriff's Investigator Michael Theetge was critically injured after being hit by a car. Just last week, the woman driving the car was found guilty and now, Theetge is speaking out.

Investigator Theetge sat down with WENY News to talk about his thoughts on the outcome of the trial and what his next steps are.

According to Theetge, the end of the trial wraps up a chapter for him and his family. However, he says since day one of his recovery, his goal has been to get back to work and help serve his community. Now he's taking the steps to do just that.

"I feel good," said Theetge. "I mean honestly, overall I just feel so lucky to be here, to be alive."

On March 29, 2024, Investigator Theetge and other members of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office were working with New York State Police on a joint retail theft operation at the Big Flats Target.

During the operation, Theetge ended up chasing attempted shoplifter, Dominick Haley through the parking lot. Both of the men ended up jumping on a hood of a moving car, driven by Haley's ex-girlfriend Fatiuna Massaline. Massaline accelerated the vehicle with Haley and Theetge on the hood, throwing them to the ground.

Massaline fled the scene and Theetge was left in critical condition, suffering a skull fracture and a brain bleed. 

Haley pleaded guilty earlier this month and, on March 14, Massaline was found guilty on two assault charges, Assault of an Officer and Assault in the Second Degree, after a jury trial.

Theetge calls the outcome a relief.

"Yes, I still have the ongoing issues that I'm working through and dealing with and you know I will continue to push forward in that way, but it's nice to have that other aspect kind of wrapped up and closed so we don't have it just kind of hanging in our mind," said Theetge.

Theetge himself even testified in the trial. He says he felt very prepared to do so thanks to Chemung County District Attorney Weeden Wetmore and Assistant District Attorney Anne Stark.

"In my role [as a Sheriff's Investigator] I've obviously had to testify countless times, but I've never been on the stand as the victim, so that was a completely new experience to me to kind of have the trial based around me," said Theetge. "It's not something I was used to or anything."

On the last day of the trial, Theetge was able to sit in on closing arguments and listen to the verdict. Admittedly, Theetge says he felt a sense of frustration when listening to the defense's closing argument.

"I do have to say, it brought a level of frustration to me hearing the defense's closing arguments and knowing that they were not being truthful and they were still telling these fabrications to the jury, looking for them to believe it," said Theetge. "So that was a hard thing to sit there and listen to when you know that it's about you they're saying this."

However, regardless of the final remarks of the trial, Theetge adds that the verdict felt good for him and his family. Between Haley's guilty plea and the guilty verdict against Massaline, he says he can continue to focus on sorting out his return to work. At this time, he is in talks with the county to see what that might look like.

"I'm very hopeful and very eager to try to make it back to work," said Theetge. "That's a role and a position I'm very proud of. It's something I enjoy doing. I like serving the community. I truly like trying to make a difference and make our area a better place to be. So I do truly hope to make it back."

Due to the nature of the job, Theetge acknowledges that his return comes with complications. But, if he is told he may need to find a new role, he says he is adamant on continuing in public service because he wants to make a difference in his community. The same community that supported him.

"I really think it says a lot about our community, those that live in it, the local businesses from day one, the outpouring of support that has been shown from the variety of places like I said, local businesses and then the community in general," said Theetge. "It's been absolutely amazing and it really has been very touching to see how supportive they have been."

Additionally, Theetge also thanks his family for sticking by his side through it all. He says they have been instrumental in his recovery and all of the rough patches along the way such as losses of feeling in his body and balance issues that he has experienced during recovery. Some of the lingering effects that Theetge is still experiencing as a result of the traumatic brain injury he sustained from the incident include numbness and tingling from head to toe on his right side, loss of hearing in his right ear, and loss of peripheral vision in both of his eyes on the left side.

In February, Theetge received additional treatment through eTMS Florida, an organization that provides free neurological care for veterans and first responders. He adds that the organization is seeking to expand their efforts and he's passing the information along to Senator Tom O'Mara in an attempt to bring that free care to the region and to other first responders in need.