Photo By Sgt. Cody Torkelson | (Left to right) Tim Goodman, who was struck by a Metro bus last year while jogging...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Almost a year after the accident that severely fractured one of his legs and fractured his jaw, Tim Goodman met with the Soldiers assigned to the 289th Military Police Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), who rushed in to his aid and to go on a run with them through the National Mall, Aug. 19.
“I am so excited to be here spending time with these true heroes as we run into the city together,” said Tim, a Washington, D.C., running enthusiast. “If it wasn’t for them helping me as fast as they did last year, I probably wouldn’t be here now.”
Late August 2013, Tim was out jogging when he was struck by a Metro bus at the intersection of Seventh Street and Madison Drive in Washington, D.C. Fortunately for Tim, Capt. Quenten Vereen, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Williams, Sgt. 1st Class John Russell and Spc. Christopher Flane, 289th Military Policemen, were also jogging in the same area, heard the accident, and provided lifesaving medical treatment.
“I must have a guardian angel,” said Tim. “They were just in the right place at the right time.”
These Old Guard Soldiers reacted instinctively to stabilize the bleeding from his head and leg.
Russell said he was just glad to help. “We were across the street when it happened,” said Russell. “We didn’t know if there was a neck injury or spinal injury. There was a lot of blood on the ground and we had to check him out and do what we could.”
Tim was then rushed to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center for further care for his injuries.
After two days in the hospital, Tim was released and began the long road to recovery.
“Thankfully after a year, nothing hurts,” said Tim. “Running feels mechanically different than it used to be with this titanium rod in my leg.”
Tim said he knows it will take more time to feel fine, but if it doesn’t, he is fine with it because he’s still alive.
He added he doesn’t recall a lot from the because of how traumatic the injury was, but he actually considers that to be a huge blessing.
“I was conscious during the accident, but I guess I wasn’t all there,” said Tim. “Who wants to remember something like that anyways?”
He said he said the only thing he wanted to remember was the Soldiers who saved him. Russell and Williams said they made sure to keep in contact with Tim during his recovery via email.
“It was important to us to see how he was doing,” said Williams. “We wanted Tim to know that we were there if he needed anything.”
Williams said they would continue to check-in on Tim from time to time just to see his progress.
As a veteran, Tim understood the strong bond between the military and he was grateful for the friendship of these Soldiers.
Tim took a break from running for awhile to allow his body an opportunity to properly heal.
“I had to promise my doctors that I wouldn’t run because they know how I am,” said Tim. “When I got the OK to run again, I didn’t hold back.”
Tim said when he feels exhausted running up hills and down trails and his legs tremble with fatigue, there is one thought that helped him continue.
He could still be in crutches or he could be dead.
Tim ran a half marathon in May, a full marathon in June and plans on running the Marine Corps Marathon this October.
“I just took the healing one day at a time,” said Tim. “The fact that I am out running again with the guys that helped save me is a miracle on its own.”
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2014 09:28 |
| Story ID: | 139912 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Uniting For a Run After Saving Life and Limb, by SFC Luisito Brooks, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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