June 2002 near Parker, CO. I was traveling down Parker Road (speed limit 55). A car exited a local nursery (Tagawa Gardens) turning left driven by an older lady and disobeyed a no left-hand turn sign. She entered the roadway approximately 10' in front of me and I did not even have time to hit the brakes. I impacted the A-pillar/door jam on the driver's side of her car (a late 80's early 90's Volvo station wagon). A few cars behind me stopped and thankfully filled out witness statements which is how I know exactly what happened.

I was wearing a full helmet and frankly, it saved my life. I suffered a brain hemorrhage and concussion, broke multiple ribs, shattered my left hand (required 11 pins, a screw, and an external fixator), broke my right thumb (2 pins) and lost about 1/2" of my middle finger, fractured my femur and dislocated it, broke a bone by my right shoulder blade and dislocated my right shoulder and I had to receive several units of blood while in the hospital. I was placed into a medically induced coma for several days and had multiple surgeries. I spent a few months in a rehab hospital healing and re-learning how to walk and trying to eat despite having 2 broken hands.

My guardian angel was with me that day. A few tidbits about how lucky I was. I purchased a new helmet the night before the accident. I got signed up for health insurance approximately 2-3 hours before the accident (despite the other driver being at fault, my insurance covered the upfront cost of over $125k in bills after insurance deductions. I later repaid my insurance after a settlement a few years later), The accident happened a few hundred feet from a fire station (South Metro 42) with an available advanced paramedic ambulance which was on scene and transported me before a medical helicopter could be activated. Everything that could have gone in my favor (other than no accident at all) worked out for me.

It's been 19 years since the accident and I have had no major permanent complications from it. I did receive a priesthood blessing as soon as my dad got to the hospital. I regained 90%+ of my hand's agility and my femur healed without issue. I'm thankful just to be alive, but for me to have healed as I have has been a miracle.