Bicyclist on slow road to recovery
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Bicyclist Thad LaVallee, 38, of Boston, is on the slow road to recovery, following a truck-bicycle accident July 22 that left him hospitalized with serious injuries, including numerous broken bones.
Police have since charged the driver of a truck in connection with the incident which occurred as LaVallee and other bicyclists were taking part in a time trial cycling event on the Parsons Road in Washburn sponsored by Mojo’s of Presque Isle.
“Kenneth Ayotte, 53, of Presque Isle, was summonsed for failure to yield on entering a public road. Officer Roy Guidrey, who investigated the accident, determined Ayotte was exiting a driveway when he stopped to speak to an individual in the driveway,” said Washburn Police Chief Doug Conroy.
Conroy said LaVallee was on the road and had the right of way as through traffic.
“Ayotte failed to yield to LaVallee. When you’re leaving a driveway, the law requires you yield to through traffic, whether it’s a car or a bicycle,” said Conroy.
Ayotte faces a fine of $139 for the infraction.
LaVallee, who has trouble speaking due to facial injuries, was able to communicate with friends and loved ones via Facebook over the weekend. When asked, he agreed to share his experience with the public.
“I finally have enough strength to sit in front of a computer for a minute. So first, I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has sent me messages, called, visited or just simply had me in their thoughts. It means the world to me and I can’t express how grateful I am for all the support and care,” wrote LaVallee.
He shared his memory of what transpired the day of the accident.
“On Sunday I was participating in a time trial in northern Maine. At the halfway point, a large pick-up truck pulled out of a driveway and struck me on my right side. I was thrown into the ditch on the other side of the road and back about 100 feet from the point of impact. I was knocked out for about 10 minutes,” said LaVallee.
LaVallee was transported by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center where he has been hospitalized since the crash.
“I was rushed into surgery to repair my left thigh which had an eight-inch gash down to the bone which missed my femoral artery by only two millimeters (an injury that would have been fatal). The leg is recovering but very painful,” he said.
“I also broke two ribs, my right knee and many bones on the right side of my face. I had facial reconstruction surgery on Wednesday which was successful, despite me actually being flatlined for a few seconds,” continued LaVallee.
He’s slowly healing and has been moved from ICU.
“I moved out of ICU and into the rehab unit recently, where I suffer terribly just to get from the bed and into a wheelchair, so the road to recovery will be very long,” he said.
Despite the pain, LaVallee is in good spirits and thankful to be alive.
“I just consider myself lucky to be alive at this point. The thought of Aubrie and Ellis (his two small children) coming so close to losing their daddy has hurt the most and has really changed my perspective on everything,” said LaVallee.
LaVallee credited the kindness of local people for making his hospital stay more bearable. Among the visitors has been amateur bicyclist and part-time Mojo staff member Penny McHatten.
“I’ve been bringing him milkshakes and visiting with Thad from time to time,” said McHatten. “He’s in good spirits.”
McHatten said she feels a connection with LaVallee not only because they both have a love of biking but because she has a son about his age.
“I visit with Thad because he reminds me of my son, who’s about the same age. I would hope that if my son ever — heaven forbid — were hospitalized somewhere away from family, that some other mother would take the time to visit as I have with Thad,” said McHatten.
LaVallee is hoping to be well enough to return home in a few weeks.
“I hope to be back home in Massachusetts within the next few weeks. The care I’m getting at the hospital here has been outstanding. And the local folks, many of whom I’ve never met, who are coming in to pay me visits has been heartwarming,” said LaVallee.
He wished to thank all who’ve supported him through his injury and subsequent recovery process.
“My gratitude to all of you for thinking of me and checking in on me cannot be properly expressed, even if I weren’t so heavily sedated. I will keep you updated when I am able. I miss you all, especially my amazing Deena (his wife), and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you all,” noted LaVallee.
