So, here is my side of the story. Basically, I am lucky to be alive after this model of truck hit me:
2005 Mack Granite
I was on my way to work, gradually climbing one of the many hills, on a chilly (32 degree), but sunny Friday morning, and I heard a truck behind, but thought nothing of it, as they usually pass me. Suddenly, this unbelievable force and sound of twisted metal broke the relative calm of the morning. I don’t remember too much, aside from the force and the sound, and then I was on the ground. I thought that I may have been dead, and then the driver came running over, calling 911. At that point, I realized I was alive, and simultaneously opened my eyes and wiggled my toes and fingers. I was a very happy man at that point, given all that had just happened. In an eerie coincidence, a brief thunderstorm erupted as I opened my eyes, and 3 bolts of lighting flashed across the sky. They wanted to fly me out, but the storm prevented that, so a long and bumpy ambulance ride ensued.
I spent quite a long time strapped to the backboard in and out of the CT Scan room, x-rays, blood and urine tests etc. Miraculously, everything came out negative, and I plan on having an MRI done soon. Update: Visited the Orthopedic Surgeon this morning. We are going to wait two weeks for an MRI, but upon further inspection, I have some fractures in my knee cap. 4-6 weeks in a knee immobilizer and crutches.
Here are some pics of my bike:
Yes, it is true, when you get hit by something that hard, your shoes come off. My bike shoes were ratcheted to my feet, and my left one is nowhere to be found.
In the end, I am very very very lucky to be alive. If 1,000 people were to get hit by a 20,000 pound truck at 40 MPH, 990 would be dead, 9 would be paralyzed and one would be alive. I am that one person. I am very happy to be at work today, albeit it in a modified workspace.
Dave Jackson in for a visist
10 responses so far ↓
1 Mike Brown // Apr 27, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Roger, So glad the %’s worked for you this time. What a shocker. Get well soon.
2 Ray Capone // Apr 27, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Dude. Twice is pushing it……. In the words of Luke Wilson: “This is getting a little god damn ridiculous!” But I hope you keep biking.
3 Mike Kisow // Apr 27, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Best wishes man. That’s insane. You should take some of that luck to Vegas!
4 Whitey // Apr 27, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Dude, that is off the wall. You could be a poster boy for Trek.
5 Pat Cooper // Apr 28, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Damn, man. I’m glad to hear that you’re alive. Get well soon!
6 UNBREAKABLE ROGER « Effort.tv // Apr 28, 2009 at 11:07 pm
[...] UNBREAKABLE ROGER Posted on April 28, 2009 by effortincorporated Roger is the sales manager at Immersion Research, the kayak gear company I rep for. Last Friday he was on a routine bicycle ride to work when he was hit by a Mack Truck moving 40 mph. If you know Roger you may also know that he is sort of accident prone. He even has a column he writes in a dealer newsletter called “Roger’s Wrecks.” Just now I recall him telling me about a collision he had with a vehicle while bike riding last year. I’m beginning to wonder if he has been training to take this kind of abuse. It is true that you can learn how to take a fall. Skateboarders do it as do athletes in a variety of sports, though I’m not sure that anyone has pulled the 4o-mile-an-hour-Mack-truck-impact fall while cycling. Apparently it can be done. I think Roger missed his role in the movie UNBREAKABLE, or at least as a stunt double. See his report on the accident HERE. [...]
7 Tinkey // Apr 29, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Roger,
Glad you are for the most part okay. If you need anything for the orthopedic side of the things just let me know. (UPMC Sports Medicine) Dana and I wish you a speedy recovery.
8 Adam Johnson // May 1, 2009 at 1:40 am
Now that is some stout brown right there… Glad you are OK.
9 Arlo Grammatica // May 12, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Dude Danger Is Your Business I hope you recover fully Long Live the Green Parrot
10 Wesley R. Bradley // May 13, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Sending up prayers for a speedy recovery! Glad you are OK and already back to work.
Leave a Comment