UPPER MACUNGIE TWP, Pa. — James Phyrillas, a popular YouTuber also known as Schaffrillas, who was badly injured when a vehicle crash that killed his brother and a close friend, said he will continue creating content.
"Home now after 3 days in the hospital, with my ribs fractured, my lung punctured, my body bruised, my heart broken," Phyrillas tweeted early Wednesday.
- James Phyrillas, also known as Schaffrillas, survived a motor vehicle crash Sunday in Upper Macungie Township
- Patrick Phyrillas and Christopher Schaffer both died in the crash
- James Phyrillas says he will continue to make videos
Patrick Phyrillas, 22, and friend Christopher Schaffer, 25, both of Reading, died in the crash. Both were part of the Schaffrillas production team.
"Patrick and Chris were my best friends," Schaffrillas tweeted. "Been trying to wrap my head around why I was spared. Where I go from here. What can we do? We must live our lives.
"Once my physical wounds heal, I will most likely be returning to video work soon. Please understand that I need a sense of normality to occupy my days, lest I sink deeper into despair. I believe they both would have wanted me to continue my work.
"I will take my time brainstorming ways to preserve their legacy, be it charitable endeavors or otherwise. I owe them this much, given how I unjustly was the only one to walk away unscathed."
Crash being investigated
Patrick Phyrillas and Schaffer were passengers in a vehicle that collided with a tractor-trailer at Hamilton Boulevard and Folk Road in Upper Macungie Township about 4 p.m., according to a release from the office of Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio.
The release did not say whether James Phyrillas, a Reading native, also was a passenger or was driving. It also did not say whether there were other passengers, or whether the truck's driver was injured.
Patrick Phyrillas and Schaffer both were declared dead at the scene from blunt force head injuries from the crash, the coroner's office said. Buglio ruled the manner of death for both was accidental.
"I could say so many things about both of them but the thought of doing so, especially in a public forum, makes me weep uncontrollably," Schaffrillas said in another tweet.
"Please allow me to mourn them both in private."
The release said township police and the Lehigh County Crash Reconstruction Taske Force continue to investigate the crash, with assistance from the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.
Home now after 3 days in the hospital, with my ribs fractured, my lung punctured, my body bruised, my heart broken. Patrick and Chris were my best friends. Been trying to wrap my head around why I was spared. Where I go from here.
— Schaffrillas (@Schaffrillas) February 1, 2023
"What can we do? We must live our lives." 🧵
There was an outpouring of emotion following the crash on a subreddit dedicated to the YouTubers called r/Schaffrillas, which has 8,800 members. Many users expressed heartbreak over the losses, along with wishes for James Phyrillas to get well soon.
The Schaffrillas Youtube Channel, which offers movie commentary and analysis, was established in 2015 and has more than 325 million views and 1.66 million subscribers.
