The accident happened on Sunday, January 30th at approximately 12:20pm. Mark was riding with approximately 10 other riders near Point Reyes. In order to avoid a rider, Mark fell and was hit by a car head-on. Exact details to the accident are still unclear. Mark was taken by ambulance to an awaiting helicopter that then flew him to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
He was in the ER for several hours on Sunday until they took him to surgery that evening. Mark sustained severe head injuries, neck injuries and back injuries from this accident. Surgery repaired the fractured skull that the doctor described as "putting a jigsaw puzzle together". Amazingly no fragments of skull penetrated the mass that protects the brain from the skull. Injuries from the head trauma include loss of eyesight on his right eye. (the fractured skull is on his left side) Loss of hearing on his left ear. The doctors are optimistic he'll regain his hearing but not so optimistic about his sight. The rehabilitation process will include training his left eye to become his dominant eye so Mark can continue to work.
His neck suffered soft tissue damage. Amazingly, he did not break his neck. He has been in a neck brace for that injury. His back has two fractures. One is a hairline fracture and one a pretty bad fracture that split the vertebrae in half. Mark will be in a back brace for about 3 months. The goal is for his back to heal itself without surgery.
Mark will be in Kentfield Rehabilitation Center in Kentfield for 2 weeks to 8 weeks. It just depends on his progress while there as to when he can go home.
Amazingly, Mark did not suffer any memory loss, loss of movement or loss of speech. He is extremely lucky to have only the injuries described above considering. He is expected, with the exception of his eye and ear (still unknowns) to make a full recovery. We are so thankful for that.
Recent Comments