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 65^th Ave

Gainesville, FL 32653

352-316-0084