FYI – I finally have enough strength
to straighten out the facts. Hopefully this will be one more item that can help
the whole cycling community protect itself against careless drivers....
Keep the rubber side down!
Vicki
Dear Sirs;
I am responding to your article published 9/23/06 titled
“Bicyclists Struck by Driver with Sun in her Eyes”. I wish to
contribute to the integrity of reporting of our local paper as well as comment
on the seriousness of the accident.
1. The article
states that I was clipped by a side mirror. This is inaccurate. I was hit
directly from behind by the driver, Kimberly Ann Brooks. The police report
states I was hit at 50 mph. My bicycle was propelled forward and up into the
air. I hit the windshield/roof of the car before landing on the ground.
2. The article
states that I landed face down in a ditch. This is inaccurate. I landed
directly on my back. Mercifully, I landed in grass; all my doctors agree this
likely saved my life and certainly saved me from being paralyzed.
3. The article
states that my fellow cyclist, Michael Krasilovsky, was hit by me as I fell off
my bicycle. This is inaccurate. Michael was the first to be hit by the
driver’s car since he was riding behind me. It is likely he was hit by
the side mirror based on the damage to his bike and clothing.
4. The article
states that Krasilovsky had a few bruises. This is inaccurate. He was knocked
unconscious. He sustained injuries to his neck and ribs for which he is still
receiving medical attention and physical therapy.
I was admitted to ICU at Shands where I remained for seven
days. Three critical surgeries to my back and leg were performed. The broken
clavicle was not operated on. I was released to Shands Rehab
Hospital on October 21
where I was treated for three weeks. I have been at home for a month where I am
wheelchair bound and must remain in an upper body cast until at least
Christmas. It will be months before I can regain full functionality and return
to work. I have titanium implants in my leg and spine that are permanent. I had
already been admitted to ICU at the time the article was written; it is
confusing therefore that the medical information was not correctly reported.
The article states that I had injuries to my back, leg and ribs; it does not
indicate that the back injury was life threatening or the seriousness of the
other injuries.
Michael Krasilovsly and I are both cyclists with many miles
and years of experience in competitive events. We both ride with Team Florida and are members
of the Gainesville Cycling Club. Michael and I were obeying all the traffic
laws at the time of the accident. We were riding single file on the shoulder of
the road going with traffic. We had reflective clothing on as well as blinking
reflectors even though it was broad daylight. We will both suffer
physical affects for years whatever the reason, sun or other distraction, that
caused Ms. Brooks to collide with us that day. These are facts the Gainesville Sun needs to
publish to provide accurate reporting of the accident which occurred on 9/21/06
Respectfully Submitted,
Vicki Santello
3918 NW 65th
Ave
Gainesville, FL 32653
352-316-0084
