Dear friends,
We know there have been lots of questions about our accident in our Tundra pickup that happened on November 24th. We intended to get information out sooner but, well, it’s been a challenging couple of weeks. So here are the basics. We’re aiming to have a more complete description in the High Prairian.
On Saturday the 24th, we were headed for a meeting in Bingen. Gwen was driving west on Centerville Highway. She had passed the old fire hall and came around a slight curve when the pickup hit an icy stretch of road shaded by trees. Even though she was driving fairly cautiously because of the possibility of ice, we were sliding on it before we knew it was there.
We’ve discussed over and over how we think it happened but suffice it to say that the rear of the pickup flew up as the truck rolled over, then it came down hard on the driver’s side roof and rolled over onto its wheels. It must have been spectacular.
Jake came out of it relatively unhurt, with a bump on one side of his head-—which was a good thing, because when he turned to check on Gwen it was obvious her injuries were serious. She was out cold and bleeding freely from long lacerations to the scalp, and with other potentially serious injuries unknown at the time. First Responders from Lyle and High Prairie Fire Districts had to cut off the truck’s roof to get Gwen on a backboard and cervical collar before she could be removed from the driver’s seat. She was whisked away by Life Flight to the trauma center in Yakima. HP Fire Chief Tim Darland drove Jake to Yakima.
At the hospital it was determined Gwen had received a severe concussion (thankfully, no worse!) and it took 49 staples to put her scalp back together. She also has a compression fracture of one vertebra high in her back (T4) between the shoulder blades, and a matching fracture of the manubrium, the bone at the top of the sternum where the collar bones attach.
We’ve been home for about a week and a half now. We are doing okay. Gwen is recovering slowly from the concussion with rest and quiet. She’ll be wearing a neck and back brace for a few months while her fractures heal. Jake has made use of the peace and quiet, too, to recover from what may have been a mild concussion and, of course, to let things settle after the trauma of the whole experience.
We want to thank all the Lyle and High Prairie First Responders and Klickitat County ambulance crew who sprang into action and rushed to our aid, as well as the crew of the Life Flight helicopter that transported Gwen to Yakima. A special thanks to Tim Darland for seeing that Jake got safely to Yakima and into the hands of friends there.
We also wish to thank all our High Prairie friends and neighbors for their concern and support during this time. Many have offered help and food, for which Jake, the newly appointed chief cook, bottle washer and constant caregiver, is especially appreciative.
Gwen & Jake
Tundra aftermath
Driver’s seat
Gwen with assistance from Ben Parrish modeling the latest in braceware.
