The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Cory Reed Ian McClellan, a senior in biology, was the victim of a debilitating car crash in December 2007. Doctors believed that he would not make a full recovery.

Last year, an OSU student found himself in a hospital bed for a month after totaling his car in an accident involving four other vehicles.

Doctors weren't convinced that he would ever make a full recovery.

Ian McClellan, a senior in biology, has aspired to become a pharmacist ever since adolescence. In late December of 2007, McClellan thought his dreams would have to be put on hold.

While driving on Highway 99W to work at a Rite Aid pharmacy, McClellan hit a patch of black ice and lost control near Adair Village. His car spun into oncoming traffic when another car also lost control. The two collided in a 90-mph collision.

Five cars were involved - four of which were totaled. McClellan, however, was the only one left injured. He was driven by ambulance to OHSU. LifeFlight was unable to fly due to weather conditions.

At OHSU, McClellan was diagnosed with a moderate diffuse axonal injury.

"It was like a really bad concussion that is caused by brain cells that get stretched or torn," McClellan said. "Doctors didn't know if I was going to be a vegetable or not, leaving my parents a mess."

Doctors told McClellan it would be unlikely for him to return to school in the near future, emphasizing that he might be ready only after reaching a certain point of therapy.

Kristin Catts, a junior in English and a friend of McClellan's, said she was extremely scared when she heard about McClellan's accident.

"I was really on edge waiting for a text or an update," Catts said. "I was craving more information because I wanted to know he was okay."

McClellan was in the hospital for a month, during which he experienced severe memory loss. He said he remembers his friends and family visiting him in the hospital, but can't remember any conversations.

Catts said it felt weird to visit him in the hospital, especially since he couldn't differentiate between dreams and reality. She also said McClellan described visits from celebrities and recent travels to foreign countries.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools