Details of nearly fatal crash are recalled - Meriden Record-Journal
WALLINGFORD — Laura Van Wormer doesn’t remember seeing the headlights of the oncoming BMW or the impact from the crash that nearly took her life. Van Wormer is now in rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to repair a pilon fracture in her ankle and foot. These days, physical therapy involves sitting in a wheelchair to get her body used to being in an upright position again. “My lower leg was completely smashed,” Van Wormer said Friday from her bed at Masonicare. “One of the first decisions I made was, did I want to amputate it. ”. In addition to the shattered foot and ankle, Van Wormer suffered 13 broken ribs, a bilateral collar fracture, a sternum fracture, a broken knee, laceration to her liver, and... Her skull was also fractured and she suffered injuries to her neck ligaments and has a lacerated diaphragm from a tracheotomy. The 59-year-old was unconscious and kept heavily sedated and intubated for five weeks while her condition, though touch and go the first week, steadily improved. After seven weeks, Van Wormer speaks in near whispers and wears a rigid neck brace that prevents her from moving her head from side to side. Prior to the crash, Van Wormer was working with author James Spada on an autobiography of actress Donna Mills. Source: www.myrecordjournal.com
