Recuperation expected to be lengthy
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Jim Lindsay
Clay County residents are rallying to help a local man who sustained life-threatening injuries while in Colorado transporting a load of freight as part of his long-haul truck driving business.
James “Jim” Lindsay, of Qualla Road, remains hospitalized in Westminster, Colo. after he was struck by a pickup on June 18.
Thinking something was not right, Jim had pulled over on the roadside to check his load when a 3500 Dodge Dually veered off the road and struck him, sending him over 50 feet through the air, according to his friend Ed Taylor who coordinated a Go Fund Me page to help the family.
The accident occurred just north of Denver. Lindsay was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Bridge, Colo.
His injuries include broken arm, broken wrist, 11 broken ribs, both legs were broken, ankle was broken and his right foot was crushed. He has undergone seven surgeries in seven days.
Jim’s wife, Joyce said her husband’s prognosis is good, but recovery is expected to be lengthy.
Joyce typically rides along with Jim in their Dodge Ram 5500 rollback chassis, but on this Saturday, she stayed home to care for their dog and its newly born pups.
She tried to call him several times, having no idea her husband was in a hospital some 21 hours from home. “I tried to call him up until about 11 p.m.,” Joyce said. “He didn’t answer. “
Later that night Joyce received a call from Jim’s cell phone, but instead of Jim on the line, it was a nurse named Amanda from the hospital’s Emergency Room informing her of the accident and that Jim wanted to talk to her.
Surprisingly, Jim was able to talk. He didn’t remember being hit by the pickup but did recall that he was driving on a rural, four-lane highway when he pulled over to check his load because something didn’t feel right, according to Joyce. “He was always really careful and had his flashers on,” she said. Jim remembered checking the load, walking to get back in his truck, then waking up in the hospital.
Joyce said the driver of the truck stayed with Jim until medical help arrived.
Jim has been in the hospital almost a month now. “He can’t really do a lot of therapy because he is so broken up,” said Joyce.
Doctors told Jim it could be a year before he can drive again.
“Herein lies our pleas as Jim’s livelihood is driving his truck, hauling freight. He has over over 300,000 miles over the past five years,” Taylor wrote on the Go Fund Me Page. “His ability to provide for his wife Joyce and himself has ceased. They need our help. Jim has helped so many people over the years and now he needs our help. Please give what you can and please say prayers for Jim’s recovery.”
In addition to the Go Fund Me Page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/plea-for-help-for-jim-lindsays-recovery, an account has been set up for the couple at Nantahala Bank in Hayesville. To mail a check or donate in person, checks should be made out to James or Joyce Lindsay. The mailing address is Nantahala Bank, 102 Highway 64 east, Hayesville, NC 28904.
“Everybody here has been just wonderful,” said Joyce. “We want to thank every one for your help and ask for your continued prayers.”
It appears it may be a long while before Jim sees the green grass of home. To send cards to him in the hospital, mail to: PAM Health & Rehab Hospital of Westminster, 6500 West 104th Ave. Westminster, CO 80020, Room 208.