Thursday, March 3, 2011

Michael Montgomery accident

The recent accident where Michael Montgomery was hit by a truck on Highway 96 has members of the Harpeth Bike Club seriously upset.  Recent posts have suggested:

How about a MASSIVE group ride to the capitol to help deliver the  message?  Say 200-300 riders (hopefully more) with print/TV  coverage......is this doable?
I feel some type of concerted effort, on a  grand scale, is required to get the attention of lawmakers and law enforcement.  We owe it to those who have been seriously injured/killed in the past........as  well as those in the future, which on any given day could be one of us.

From: Mary Montgomery, February 20, 2011
Subject: Michael (my brother)

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to update everyone. We’ve had a lot going on and it’s too much information to text.  Here is what we know according to the Highway Patrol and Sheriff's Office:

Michael was on New Highway 96. The driver of the dump truck said he didn’t see him until it was too late. However,two witnesses said the dump truck veered off the   road onto the shoulder twice before hitting Michael. The witnesses said it was terrible…the actual impact of the truck to Michael was not the problem; it was the momentum from that point on. They said it was a violent crash – he flipped and bounced numerous times. The sheriff’s office and hwy patrol arrived within minutes, as did the EMT. We were given to understand a physician stopped right after it happened and said he did not have a pulse, was not breathing and she administered CPR. But, we don’t know that for sure. The deputy said that is what she told        him.
Michael’s injuries are: his pelvis is shattered and has detached from his tail bone, a broken leg (tibia and femur), broken ribs, bleeding and bruising on the brain which should absorb, and spinal fractures that should heal on their own. He is going into a 3-4 hour surgery tomorrow morning for the pelvis, and we think the broken leg also. He is in traction right now to keep it all stabilized.

We want all of you to know how much we appreciate the prayers and would appreciate them for his surgery tomorrow morning. I’m afraid this is going to be a long recovery time, 12 weeks we know of right now. I will let you know by email, as soon as I can, of tomorrow’s surgery. I apologize to those of you who have called and I couldn’t answer. I am calling all of his friends and church family and trying to keep up with texts, emails, visitors, and callers as best as I can. The outreach has been overwhelming!

We found out it is Michael’s habit, before each ride, to offer a prayer for safety and was adamant about all of his friends who are cyclists to do the same. There is no doubt that God heard his prayers.  It is truly a miracle he is alive. We are so blessed. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Love, Mary

5 comments:

Caledonia said...

Any explanation why the truck driver was driving so erratically? Was he texting or on a cell phone??

Doug_H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doug_H said...

I am in the for the protest ride if it happens.

coastdownhills said...

I'm ready most Tuesdays, and Thur-Sunday. It would get the most attention during the week but more riders on a weekend.
Bruce

Doug_H said...

It appears there will be a benefit on March 21st at Puckett's in Franklin. Here is a link:

http://www.nationalmountainbike.com/board/showthread.php?p=106843

or just google
"Michael Montgomery benefit"

I will post again if there is an official announcement about the benefit--right now it does not show up on Puckett's calendar.