UPDATE DECEMBER 23 4:20 P.M.
Brandon's wife Dama underwent pelvic surgery and faces an infected leg gash operation, according to his stepmother Mary Klosterman. She remains at South Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers with an expected two-week hospital stay.
"She is hurting in her heart as much as body," Mary Klosterman said.
The family has established a GoFundMe page through Regions Bank in Naples to help Dama rebuild her life. She faces significant challenges including no hospital insurance, no income, and a large mortgage on their home, which has elevated steps she cannot climb in her current condition.
DECEMBER 22
Steve Klosterman remembers his son as someone who always put others first.
"My son was just an awesome guy. He was a love of my life," Steve Klosterman said.
Click here to see Fox 4 Community Correspondent Victoria Quevedo speak with the victims family.
Brandon Klosterman died at the scene along with his dog Kona after 25-year-old Ever Alfredo Matias Burgos drove his SUV off the road and onto the sidewalk, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Klosterman's wife Dama remains hospitalized with critical injuries.
Troopers arrested Burgos for DUI manslaughter.
Brandon visited his mother at her nursing home daily, taking her for walks in her wheelchair and spending time with other residents who all knew him by name.
"The ladies at the nursing home said that he came almost every day just to visit…when I went over there, they were crying," his stepmother Mary said.
Brandon ran his own painting and contracting business and started each morning by chopping fresh fruit and vegetables for his pet bird Teddy.
"I mean, he's, that's kind of guy he is. He just, he took his time to do what he did, and he got things done," Steve Klosterman said.
Brandon and Dama had recently rebuilt their lives after losing everything in Hurricane Ian. The couple moved 23 times before finally settling into their new home.
"They were so happy. When that was done, they were going to start trying to have babies," Steve Klosterman said.
Saturday night, the couple went out for date night then came home to walk their dog. The family learned of Brandon's death not from police, but from a neighbor's phone call the next day.
"You have to think about everybody when you drink and drive," Mary said.
The family now mourns a man who brought joy to everyone he met.
"They'll be missed," Mary said.
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