Channel 10 News.
The headline says it all.
Early Thursday morning, a paraplegic skateboarder apparently tried to hitch a ride on a passing big rig. The truck then made a turn, running over the 36 year old man – unidentified at this time – who suffered very serious injuries. The incident occurred at the intersection of Bacon Street and Santa Monica Avenue about 2:00 a.m.
The skateboarder was riding on his stomach, when – witnesses told police – he hitched a ride using the undercarriage of the semi. When the truck turned, he suffered a crushed pelvis and major internal injuries.
News sources: Channel 10News and NBCSan Diego.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I see him all the time…he skateboards faster than most people (including myself) can walk. I always wondered where he came from, how he picked the skateboard to get around, and how long he had been paraplegic. I will send good thoughts his way, and hope he heals quickly and returns to OB soon… our community won’t be the same without him!
Never talked to him, but I see this guy around here all the time, it sucks to hear this.
I hope he makes a full recovery.
Word on the street yesterday was that he has Passed away. RIP
We’ve got several inquiries out trying to get an update.
Just down on the Ave. Now I hear he’s still hanging in there in ICU. My source today might be more credible.
According to NBCSanDiego.com, friends said the man’s name is Brian Wayne Conner, that he an Iraq veteran and did not like to discuss how he lost his legs. Rachel Williamson was quoted as saying: “He’s a sweetheart. Doesn’t lean on anybody for anything, always smiling.”
Brian has been around mostly this past year, and was using a wheelchair up until about three or four months ago. Often our conversations began with the usual request for spare change, which we usually offer a sandwich, instead. Hard to say if he was intoxicated from alcohol or the heat, especially when he, according to him, decided a skateboard was better than the chair. being on the hot pavement all day, it is no wonder he would gladly accept the bottled water we carry for our homeless. My gut says he simply desired to fit in where any one would accept him and, unlike Johnny, another local man who lost his legs as a grown man, Brian felt privately ashamed of his predicament. He said he liked the skateboard better, which appeared with him one day, after he returned to OB freshly washed and wearing clean shirt and pants. Quick with a smile, he was always polite and unassuming towards us and others, always grateful to others, especially the other homeless and street kids he hung out with, as they accepted him regardless how he looked or smelled or acted when he had too much to drink or smoke or alleviate his pain. As I am fighting back tears, this posting is for my own selfish release, so forgive my rambling on.
John likely has similar private feelings but he has lived without legs, on the streets much longer, that is all I meant to say in comparison. I do not pretend to know what these men feel or think or believe, usually I just listen.
I contacted the media relations department at UCSD. John is alive however his condition is still listed as serious. That was a much information as they would give me. Let us all send our best thoughts to this man.
Brenda, thanks so much for doing that. In the meantime, we’re reposting your Burning Man to the San Diego Free Press this morning.
Brian is alive, in hospital. correction: Johnny is probably still wheeling down newport ave when it gets cooler.
He can receive visitors, and he is at UCSD hillcrest, ICU bed 1.
Now in Surgical icu, bed 3.