On the morning of March 6, 2026, Dave was windsurfing on vacation when he was in a collision with a speedboat, resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury and a fractured pelvis. This occurred on Union Island, where Dave was on vacation with Tracey, his wife, and close friends.

Directly following the crash, Dave was rescued from the water and spoke briefly before losing consciousness while being brought directly to shore. He was resuscitated with CPR on the beach and was flown from Union Island to St. Vincent, the closest island with hospital facilities, where he spent three days intubated and in a medically induced coma.

A medical evacuation flight was arranged to transport Dave and Tracey to New Orleans, where he was admitted to the Trauma ICU at University Medical Center LCMC. He was placed on a ventilator and received CT scans to assess his brain bleed and pelvic fracture.

Over the course of the next month, Dad was extubated and began to show responsiveness. He received two brain surgeries to correct his hematoma and surgery to correct his pelvic fracture. Since these surgeries, Dad’s condition has been rapidly improving. He has been able to speak, crack jokes, smile and throw shakas to the thrilled nursing staff and doctors.

Following discharge from UMC in NOLA, he has begun in-patient neuro rehab for traumatic brain injury at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.

Looking Forward

Beginning cognitive therapy and physical rehabilitation as soon as possible after the TBI is crucial for the best long-term recovery results. Our neurosurgeon at UMC in NOLA has encouraged us that there is no indication that Dad cannot make a full recovery.

His in-patient neuro rehab program at Shirley Ryan will consist of “intensive therapy aligned with the patient’s level of healing.” This will involve 3-5 hours of therapy across physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and respiratory therapy 5 days a week.

Dave is fighting tooth and nail to get out of bed post-op and ambitious to succeed in his rehab. We are encouraged by the rate at which he has recovered only a month out from his accident, but are aware of the work that lies ahead.

For anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting Dave, you will not be surprised to hear that his sense of humor prevails.

A friend recently described my Dad to me as “someone who all men should aspire to be.” He is the best of us, and continues to exemplify the image of hope and humor through these trials. His genuine kindness, split lip smile, insistence upon positivity and practicality, and his constant endearing acts of thoughtfulness have fundamentally influenced many, teaching me the importance of inclusivity, humor and love through shared experiences. He is a husband, a father figure and a friend to all.

His 28-year marriage to his wife Tracey is an anchor through this difficult time. Their love and devotion is an honor to witness, with a palpable healing energy that charges and radiates.

We cannot express enough the gratitude and respect we hold for the skilled and empathetic doctors, nurses and hospital staff at UMC. Thank you to our friends and family who have provided invaluable comfort and support. It doesn’t take a tragedy to appreciate the power of community, but we gain strength from the silver linings apparent in the aftermath of his accident.

Summary of General Costs

Your donations will assist with the out-of-pocket costs associated with Dad’s emergency care and continued care once he is able to return home. Recovering from a TBI and the physical trauma associated with his accident, as well as the month spent in a hospital bed, is a long road which will require extensive outpatient physical and cognitive rehabilitation.

We are optimistic that Dad has the potential to make a full recovery. His two daughters are moving home to assist Tracey with his outpatient rehabilitation and ongoing care. All are taking a temporary leave of absence from work to provide full-time support.

Your donations will go directly towards