Feature Story
One moment he was riding his best friend’s brand new Ducati 749 on the 57 freeway, and the next moment he woke up in UC Irvine Medical Center. Ron McCollum is lucky to be alive and he knows it.
The Accident
All he remembers is leaving work to pick up a part for his computer that he left at home. He asked his best friend, Xavier, if he could borrow his motorcycle. Ron was licensed, so his best friend had no problem lending him his bike and his gear. Besides leaving work, all Ron remembers from that day is the date of the accident…December 3rd, 2006…witnesses and the police report filled in the rest of the story for him.
According to witnesses, a car merging quickly from the slow lane to the carpool lane cut off one car and then sideswiped Ron, sending him in the air and into the center divider of the freeway. The driver that hit him never stopped. However, the car that was cut off got a license plate number and later picked out the driver in a police line up.
Recovery
Ron remained in the hospital for about 3 weeks. ”I remember waking up in the hospital with all these things plugged into me. I didn’t realize how bad the injuries were until the 9th or 10th day in the hospital when I saw the X-rays.” His injuries included head trauma, a broken shoulder, a broken femur, and 2 busted knees. After several surgeries, a few metal plates, rods, and screws, Ron was able to leave the hospital. Check out his pictures below (injury photos are from 4 months after the accident).
Ron is now about 75% recovered from the accident. He is back at work and hopes to make full recovery. Although he can’t run just yet like he use to, he has gotten back on his motorcycle. In fact, just last week he was riding with his friends and felt great. According Ron, he had every intention on getting back on his bike. ”While I was in the wheelchair, I would go to the garage, start my bike and just smell the exhaust. I looked forward to the day I would ride again.”
Quick Bio
Ron is 26 years old and is originally from Florida. He started riding when he was 4 years old. His parents always made sure he had the newest dirt bike, even if it meant having to buy used cars and cutting back spending where they could. Ron has a 4 year old son named Jacob who has been riding since he could walk. Their favorite dirt bike racer is one of the most successful motocross racers of all time…Ricky Carmichael.
No Comments Yet
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
