FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Four and a half years ago, a drunk-driving accident dramatically changed the lives of two Fort Collins men. One was nearly killed, the other went to jail.
These circumstances are not unique, but what has happened since the accident is truly special. Eventually their paths would cross again.
On a chilly spring day, Nate Jorgenson and Shawn Turner greet each other with a strong hug and words of encouragement. The casual observer would have no idea what the two men have been through.
“It was just two people at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Jorgenson.
Jorgenson was heading home with friends in the early morning hours of Oct. 1, 2004. “One of the persons in the car dropped a phone out of the car so they pulled over, went over to look for the phone,” explained his mother, Debbie Jorgenson.
Jorgenson was standing in the bike lane on Lemay Avenue, paying no mind to an oncoming sport utility vehicle driven by Shawn Turner.
“I saw, now I know it was Nate’s back, and then it’s all blank from there,” said Turner.
Jorgenson was struck from behind at 40 mph and thrown into a ditch.
“He has broken his neck, he had several hemorrhages in his brain, and he was not responsive so they were not sure if he was paralyzed,” said Debbie Jorgenson.
Four years later, Jorgenson has overcome a broken neck and brain injury and learned to walk and talk again. His speech is slow but clear, and he walks with the assistance of a quad cane. When asked if these limitations are frustrating, he said, “No. I’m very glad to be alive.”
Turner had been celebrating a friend’s birthday that night and had been drinking. After striking Nate, he was aware of what happened but did not stop to help.
“What I did is I actually went home and wrote a goodbye note and I had planned on just leaving life,” he said.
Turner attempted suicide that morning, but his gun jammed. Police found him passed out in his car. He was arrested and would eventually spend three months in jail.
“I really feel that night, for some reason, my life was spared,” Turner said.
At Preston Junior High School, Jorgenson’s mother delivers a presentation to students about the accident. “We call it choices, consequences, and miracles,” she said.
The choice of driving drunk. The consequence of shattered lives. The miracle of forgiveness.
Two separate journeys leading to the same destination.
“I have no anger at all. I really think this is a blessing,” said Nate Jorgenson, who believes the accident has given his life purpose. He and Turner are now unlikely partners, visiting schools to raise awareness about drunk driving.
“I cannot begin to explain to you how this worked out the way it worked out,” Turner said.
They now share a personal bond and commitment to making good from a bad situation.
“It’s always good to see you.” “Good to see you also,” they said to each other during an embrace.
The Jorgensons started the Shared Journeys Brain Injury Foundation after discovering that there were no resources in northern Colorado for patients finishing their outpatient rehabilitation. The foundation started a pilot program in November 2008 and is currently treating four patients.
Jorgenson is working to become a personal trainer to inspire and help those who have suffered similar injuries.
———
On the Net:
Shared Journeys Brain Injury Foundation:
