Bryant Howard, the cycling coach of the victim in Sunday’s collision has started a fundraising campaign to help offset medical expenses. Alistair Corkett lost his leg when he was involved in a collision with a man driving a truck on SE 26th Avenue at Powell.
In the last hour the “Put Alistair back on his bike” campaign has already raised nearly $2,000 and the goal is set at $50,000.
Howard’s message posted at GoFundMe.com says Corkett is currently in the intensive care unit at OHSU where he’s recovering from his first round of surgeries. “As you can imagine,” it says, “he’s in a great deal of pain and is facing a lot of uncertainty about the road ahead.”
Here’s more from the message:
“Alistair is a passionate and hard working young man with a wonderful sense of humor and soft spoken manner. In addition to his passion for cycling he is working toward a degree in History and plans to pursue a career in teaching. Many of us have watched him sacrifice and grind for the past two years overcoming obstacles to set himself on course to further his education and know that this is simply another obstacle that he will overcome.
The severity of this accident could have killed him and he’s in a pretty dark place right now about losing his leg, but we are hopeful that we can mobilize the community to lift him up a bit and let him know that he doesn’t have to face this obstacle alone. We are hopeful that the community will come together on Alistair’s behalf to provide resources and support as he embarks on what will be a painful and lengthy recovery.
… in the long term we expect to see Alistair back on his bicycle, completing his History degree and becoming a teacher. At just 22 years old Alistair still has much to live for and share with the world.”
Jonathan Maus is BikePortland’s editor, publisher and founder. Contact him at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.
I just donated $25 and took me just 30 seconds. Fast website.
This was no accident. It is an unsafe street and the city knows it. So do the Salem lawmakers who de-fund bikes and pay money to Corporations who get tax credits and buy elections.
Please donate, and come at 4pm to the site where this bike was mowed down. TOday. May 11th. SE Powell and 26th in Portland Oregon.
If you have pictures of unsafe streets, please post them to flickr and then our group album.
http://flickr.com/groups/carsdeadlybikesnot
Why set at $50K until they know the exact or even estimated costs? He could have insurance or have the other driver pay (rumors of not being insured there are apparently flying.)
I know a person who broke a leg in 2011 and it took $60k in medical bills from insurance. Both main bones in the lower leg.
Indy: Are you out of your mind? Really!! You need to think before you speak. Think about all the costs, his loss. And no work, rehabilitation, PT and all the other help costs he will need to move forward. Please correct your self. Today
Downvote. -1
Any word on whether he lost the leg above or below the knee?
He lost his leg above the knee. He has to go in tomorrow for additional surgeries to shorten the bone.
This could have happened to anyone who has ever ridden a bike on Powell, which unfortunately you have to to get to so many places in SE.
FYI – there’s a protest ride starting today at 4pm near the intersection. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1057435414283935/
Jonathan, it would be great if you posted a link to the intersection improvements planned by ODOT, and reported on the timeframe for funding, design and construction. Thanks.
Alistair, praying for you brother.
I would be curious to know if his employer pays offers disability insurance. I would encourage all employers to purchase or make this coverage available. (Especially long term coverage) It can really provide a financial safety net and is affordable.
Best wishes to Byants family and his recovery.
I am interested in this as well. In my opinion, part of Alistair’s bike community is The Bike Gallery, his employer. Listening to the community speak about Alistair, it sounds like his character made him an exceptional employee and coworker. I would hope that the Bike Gallery offers more than ‘catastrophic’
medical coverage to it’s employees and any money raised could be used for ‘quality of life’ issues like modified wheels, school, etc, and not medical. My thoughts are with you Alistair for a speedy recovery!
@Fourknees… your words are appreciated, but should be directed to Alistair. I’m just one of many who want to see him recover quickly.
@Indy… after connecting with multiple knowledgeable sources we determined that the “walking prosthetic” that Alistair will likely need for this type of injury costs around $50,000. I considered a larger ask to cover a year of his tuition as well but decided not to. Based on the first day response I’m hopeful that the community will exceed the goal set by this amateur fundraiser.
I intended Alistair, but all close to him will need support as well.
Is this different from BMW vs U lock bicyclist story (with reader comments, about assault) regarding in what should be done to the driver of the collision? Does this story prove the BMW driver had a lethal weapon entire time?