RickyRacer crashes hard @Moroso 4-21-02

[Mongrel]

--RickyRacer, who races a 750 Ducati -- is in the hospital, unconscious, broken collarbone, broken shoulder blade, punctured lung, other damage, was airlifted to a hospital in Palm Beach, near track (Moroso).

He apparantly touched his front wheel against another rider (one of his mechanics on a 996) and he must've highsided or gotten a bad tank slapper, or both.


Lastest news---

Update: 3:23PM, Wed. 4-24

Luis is still unconscious. Currently, only his mother and his wife are allowed to see him, because the nurse says visitors (friends, cousins, etc.) seem to be agitating him a bit, because his heart rate goes up, and he seems to be trying to react but cannot.

He began to breathe more on his own today, so they reduced the ventilator a bit, which is a good sign.

There were no CAT scans or tests today, but a bunch of his doctors checked in with him, and his condition is generally stable. They say he needs calm rest. The nurse says no one should touch him at this time, because it destabilizes him. These are doctor's orders.

She requested I email the photograph that was taken of him during lunch that day (before the race, on Sunday.) His mom and others want to see the photo.

She was very thankful for the printout of this messageboard's thread, and all the people here who wished him well. I will print out the updated threads from this thread for her, and drop it off tomorrow, along with our gifts. When cards arrive, I will hand them to her.

She stays there until quite late at night, then drives home. Luis, of course, cannot be moved to a Miami hospital until he's out of ICU.

She will call me as soon as other changes occur.

from last night, I learned that he has a small crack in his skull, above the temple, in the forehead area, below the skin, not visibile, but it has not torn a lining which covers the brain, so this is good. I understand this is a hairline fracture. His ankle was thought to be broken due to swelling that developed, but the physical therapist who tends to him was able to move the ankle/foot about (left) and there did not seem to be any problems; She forgot to ask for the results of the x-ray, but the nurse said there's no serious condition there, because there's no bruising.

He's still on medication to reduce pressure on his brain. I'm not clear if the coma is drug induced to help with recovery, or if the drugs are to aid in reducing swelling during the coma.


You can follow the thread at-

http://insanespeed.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=540099643&f=150099643&m=8883085405

And more info on how to send cards can be found at

Insane Speed

Ricky posted here a lot.  I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Jerry Schmidt]

Chris and I met Louis last month as that was Chris's first time racing and this month was my first time. Louis was extremely helpful in showing us what we need to do and how to do it. The first time racing can be an over load of information and we were very fortunate to meet such a nice and helpful guy like Louis. We wanted to see Louis race, so we were in the stands right in front of where he went down. It was VERY sad to see one of the super nice guys hurt :o(

Are prayers are with you for a speedy recovery Louis.

[Jimmy]

That is very sad to hear :(. I wish him a very speedy recovery. My prayers are with him and his family.

Jimmy

[Admin]

Anyone have any updates????

Shawn