04/11/02 by Ted Ingraham
John got hit Tuesday and spent nearly 24 hours in the hospital. When I spoke to him Wednesday evening he sounded groggy but said he "thinks" his injuries consist of broken ribs and lacerations on his chest and back. If that is the case, he should recover in no time, but he has been in a lot of pain.
John was hit Tuesday evening at dusk by a car that turned left into him as he rode south on Riverview at Smith Road. The car, going north, was turning to Smith from Riverview. John said he doesn't remember the accident and was briefly unconscious. He woke up on the hood of the car. The windshield was broken. Apparently he hit the window with his chest or back. John was kept in the hospital for 24 hours because of trauma to his mid-section. He had irregular heartbeats and they ran numerous tests on his heart and other organs. John didn't have a full report from his doctor on the tests when I spoke to him.
The car was driven by an elderly man. Although it was dreary with a light mist Tuesday, and the accident was at dusk, the driver was cited since John had the rightaway. John never saw his bike but the police officer told him it was totaled. The front of the bike was "sheared-off" and both wheels were destroyed. The hospital also told John his bills would be extensive due to all the tests. John believes the driver had adequate insurance.
I saw John about a half hour before the accident as I was finishing a ride. He was going for some extra miles and I remember thinking I hoped he finished before it got much darker. It hurts just thinking about another of our friends getting hit. We all have to be as defensive as possible!
I am sure John would appreciate hearing from his cycling friends, following is how you can contact him.
1237 Weathervane Lane
Akron, OH 44313
330-867-2711
blakplayg@yahoo.com