Former Eugene Mayor Ruth Bascom Injured in Car Accident
Former Eugene, Oregon “Bicycling Mayor” Seriously Injured in Car Accident
The following is a guest post by George Williams, lead blogger for Denver accident lawyer Daniel R. Rosen.
Ruth Bascom was known as Eugene, Oregon’s “Bicycling Mayor” during her term as the city’s first female mayor from 1993 to 1997. A powerful voice in favor of bicycle trails, Mayor Bascom commuted to City Hall on her bike quite often during her term. She also chaired both the Eugene Bicycle Committee and the Oregon Bicycle Advisory Committee. Two years ago, the 84 year-old Mayor was forced to give up cycling due to her age.
On August 11th, Mrs. Bascom was involved in a car accident north of Burns, Oregon that has left her in critical condition. KMTR reports that her husband, who was behind the wheel at the time, suffered only minor injuries. KMTR summarizes the crash:
On August 11, 2010 at approximately 4:30 p.m. a 2009 Toyota Prius driven by John Bascom, age 85, from Eugene, was southbound on Highway 395 near milepost 56 when he reportedly fell asleep. The car traveled across the northbound lane, off the highway and struck several road side boulders and trees.
Jeff Wright, a reporter for The Register-Guard, brings us more details on the Bicycling Mayor’s condition:
Former Eugene Mayor Ruth Bascom is in intensive care at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend after suffering multiple bone fractures, including a neck fracture, in a car accident near Burns, state police and family members said Sunday.
Wright also reports that Mrs. Bascom so far seems free of signs of paralysis, which is a distinct worry with spinal injuries. Mr. Bascom is quoted as saying that he thinks his wife’s injuries were caused by a combination of deploying airbags and his wife’s brittle bones.
We wish Mrs. Bascom, as well as her family, the best as she recovers from this accident.
Source: “Former mayor injured in crash,” The Register-Guard, 08/16/10
Source: “Former Eugene Mayor Ruth Bascom seriously hurt in accident,” KMTR, 08/15/10
The Law Offices of Daniel R. Rosen, PC is a Denver-based personal injury firm with 10 offices throughout Colorado. Dan Rosen has over 25 years experience as a Colorado personal injury lawyer, specializing in car and motorcycle accident cases. He personally handles every single case that comes across his desk. Call 303.454.8000 for a free consultation.
This was posted
on Saturday, August 21st, 2010 and is filed in the General categories.
