The impact ripped the wing mirror off the truck and left Ashill with severe injuries - including a smashed pelvis, compound fracture to his right femur and bowel perforation.
He was on a Skype conversation with his wife Sarah when he was struck.
This week, speaking from her husband's hospital room in Columbus, Ohio, Sarah Ashill told the Weekend Herald how what started as a normal day quickly took a tragic turn - leaving Nick fighting for his life, bleeding heavily in a ditch and unable to move.
Kiwi ultra-marathon runner Nick Ashill, who was hit by a ute in Ohio, with his wife Sarah Ashill. Sarah was on Skype with Nick when he was hit. Photograph supplied
Sarah Ashill was in Cyprus at the time with the two youngest of the couple's four daughters.
"It was like the movies. I saw just the rolling of the grass," she said.
"I was like 'what's happening'. It went silent and then he yelled. When I heard that yell I knew that something was seriously wrong."
Ashill remains in hospital and his wife said his medical bills had already totalled more than $500,000.
That figure was set to increase during his rehabilitation.
Although he had insurance it was unclear how much would be covered - so a relative set up a Givealittle page to raise funds for the stricken family.
"We have a small family, but a strong family and I love Sarah, Nick and the girls, and this is how I can help out," the relative said.
As of this morning $10,423 had been donated by 116 people.
Professor Nick Ashill (right) with his wife Sarah Ashill. Photograph supplied via Facebook
The donors include a Kiwi couple living in Ohio.
"We were so shocked and appalled to hear what happened to Nick," they wrote on the Givealittle page.
Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick speak about Marama's return to parliament, her cancer journey and what's in store for the Greens this year. Video / Alyse Wright
