Pharding Hit by Car
 

On Sunday afternoon July 5, I was struck on my Cervelo P3 by a car going 55 to 50 mph with an elderly driver distracted by her daughter’s two dogs in the cabin. My injuries include broken back withfractured and 30% compressed vertebrae in my back, 2 fractures in my left leg, opened pelvis with sprained pelvic ligaments, sprained knee, deep laceration to my left leg, multiple contusions, and other injuries. I write this from my hospital bed in an outer suburb of Chicago.

I was out doing final training by myself for a two man time trial race on July 12 on my new P3. I was riding on a two lane rural road about 18” off of the right white line. I had ridden 24 miles with 8 miles to go and I was in the tucked aero position going about 16.5 mph. I heard a very loud crash that sounded like a car crash bang right next to me. Instantly visually everything went from color to a black state where I was just mentally processing information. I remember thinking “What is that?” in response to the bang. Initially I didn’t realize that it was me. Milliseconds after hearing the impact I could then feel the impact and I then knew that I had been hit. My brain was processing this stuff like everything was happening in very slow motion. My bike was struck on the rear wheel. I had this sensation for milliseconds that the bike was starting spin sideways, with the bike still vertical. Milliseconds later I blacked out.

The accident happened in a sparsely populated rural area. The point of contact took place directly in front of a farmhouse set back 35 feet from the road. The male homeowner was in the yard at the time of the crash. He heard the crash followed by me yelling “Oh my God” three times then silence. I landed about 25 feet from where my bike landed.

The next thing that I remembered was suddenly lying face down on the gravel and earth shoulder of the road with my head about 12” off of the asphalt pavement. I knew that I had been hit by a car and that I had been in a life threatening event. I was totally numb everywhere and initially could not hmove anything . My left leg was angled off to the side at a weird angle and it felt very numb. I knew it was broke. It felt good just to lay there and not move. My next concern was the possibility that I paralyzed. Initially I could not move anything. Slowly I was able to move each limb and I tested my hands and feet slowly. After 10 minutes the ambulance arrived and I had bumpy, painful ride to the hospital. I have had extensive MRI’s, CAT scans, X-Rays, and ultra-sounds. The surgeons said that it was a miracle that I wasn’t killed or that my injuries were not even more severe. I am truly blessed that God spared my life.

My wife, Cheryl, has been incredibly supportive and spent two nights in the hospital with me. I never realized that my attorney cared so much about me.

get well soon.

Hopefully your attorney fixes you up.

you're very lucky. a good number of cyclists that are struck from the rear don't survive.

good luck in your recovery.

That sucks what happened, but it's good to hear that you're alright. Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery and can be riding again in no time.

good luck in a speedy recovery!

This sucks. Did the driver voluntarily stop, or did someone prevent them from leaving?

Heal fast!

My thoughts/prayers go out to you.

It can happen to any cyclist, regardless of how careful you are. It saddens me that I just dont know what to do about controlling situations like this. Yearly drivers tests, severe restrictions for poor drivers?

As a phys therapist, Ill say Ive seen crazy things, stay positive, work hard...

Dude, get well soon.

Know that the higher power has something else in store for you.

This is what my wife worries about when I gear up in the morning...

Get well soon, and sue the **** out of that guy.

Wow! Glad it wasn't worse and hope you mend quickly.

Oh man. Phardy, that sucks. BF wouldn't be the same without your hand-wringing threads. Very glad you're still with us. Best wishes for a full recovery. This could happen to any of us, any day. My prayers are with you p.

Of course, nobody has the poor taste, insensitivity or balls to ask this, so I will.

How's the P3?

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

OMG....that sounds awful

I hope everything goes well for you and you recover soon

You are a fortunate man.

Speed recovery to you.

You and your family are in our thoughts.

Get well man! Where was this at?

+1

At least your alive. That really sucks. Get well soon.

Holy Crap! Phard, you beat the odds on being hit from behind. It looks like you have a fun recovery in front of you but it certainly beats the alternative.

Best of luck in your recovery and I hope your return to the saddle is soon.

When I crashed in Europe and was knocked cold, my helmet surely saved my life. I'm actually rather surprised you recall that much about detail the accident, but it does sound like your helmet helped you avoid head injuries. The doctors are right, it does sound like a miracle you survived.

Again, very glad you're alive and in one piece.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Good lord, I'm so glad to hear you survived. I hope you make a full recovery and you legally get everything you deserve. What a load of ****, I swear I don't know what the **** people are thinking in their god damn cars.

Wish you the best, and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Stay strong.

Awful to hear that. I wish you the best and pray for a speedy recovery.