What happened on February 19, 2023

On a sunny Sunday, February 19, 2023, at about 12:35pm, Suzy was traveling by Bird electric scooter to meet me at the NuArt Theater at the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and Sawtelle. We were planning to see this year's Oscar-nominated short films. As Suzy scootered northbound past a crowd of brunchers waiting in line at the Killer Noodle restaurant between Mississippi and La Grange Ave, the driver of a car headed southbound on Sawtelle lost control of his vehicle and struck Suzy. The rogue vehicle then clashed with a large metal dumpster and smashed into a Tesla parked in front of the restaurant. The collision with the dumpster forced it onto the sidewalk, injuring more pedestrians. Thankfully, a medical professional at the scene provided life-sustaining assistance until paramedics arrived. Suzy and three others were taken to the Emergency Department.

Suzy endured over a dozen broken or fractured bones from mandible to toe. She also suffered a torn right ACL. Perhaps most terrifying of all, Suzy took one or more serious blows to the head that put her in a coma for several weeks. Her recovery after this traumatic brain injury (TBI) is expected to be a long process — likely measured in years.

Despite her long list of injuries, Suzy is still here, 200 days later, holding my hand, fighting to get better. Her strength, bravery, and tenacity are an inspiration to me, our family, and our friends who’ve been fortunate enough to witness her progress.

Suzy’s got quite a story to tell. For now, I’ll do my best to tell it for her. Hopefully, Suzy will be telling her own story soon.

I’m looking forward to it.

Here is a news report about the crash. (Remember: Suzy looks younger than she is; the first responders guessed she was 23!)