Crash Survivor Runs Half Marathon With His Doctor and the Driver Who Hit Him

Once-Paralyzed Runner Finished Race With His Surgeon And The Man Who Hit Him With Car

On September 24, 2016, Dean Otto, a 52-year-old runner was riding his bike when Will Huffman, 27, accidentally hit him on a foggy day, when Will's windshield was too foggy for him to see. Even Dean’s reflectors were not seen because of the fog.

Dr. Matt, Dean and Will.

Dean was immediately rushed to the hospital where the surgeon, Dr. Matt McGirt from Carolinas HealthCare System’s Neurosciences Institute, cared for him. He said that aside from two shattered vertebrae, Dean broke his pelvis, tailbone, right leg and several broken ribs. The doctor also explained that Dean had a 99% chance of spending the rest of his whole in a wheelchair.

Dean at the hospital.

Dean had reservations with the results. He remained positive, and he even told his doctor that he would not stay in the wheelchair forever and that he will run a half marathon and even beat his doctor.

Dr. Matt made a spinal scaffolding with titanium rods for Dean, and then he started his therapy. Fortunately, Dean's vertebrae didn't break the protective sheath around his spine. There was no damage to his spinal cord; so the rehabilitation continued.

Dean was in therapy at Carolinas Rehabilitation for three months and was given additional exercises that will adapt to his present condition. He started from walking, then running, and now, he got a trainer bike.

Dean’s surgical scar, alongside a model of titanium rods and screws holding his spine in place.

Meanwhile, Will Huffman and his family reached out to Dean's wife, Beth through Facebook. Surprisingly, Dean's family welcomed them wholeheartedly. It was an overwhelming moment to see that the two reconciled and even became a part of their emotional recovery.

Dean's therapy was successful so he and his new friend Will started running together for a month before they finished a 5k run together.

Because of this, Dean's surgeon was also inspired and told them he wanted to run with them, too. They trained together and prepared for the Napa Half Marathon precisely on the 1st year anniversary of Dean's accident. Everyone was delighted that the three of them crossed the finish line of a 13-mile Napa Half Marathon.

Dean, Dr. Matt and Will finishes the Napa Half Marathon.

“It was great, it was amazing. The whole town was really behind us. I felt such a huge sense of accomplishment. I felt like Dr. Matt, and I did what we said we were going to do after the surgery, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m just part of a plan. I’m doing whatever is in front of me. I found out how many people loved me, lying in that hospital room, you don’t get to see that in life. You might get that kind of crowd at your funeral, but you’re dead, and you won’t hear it,” Dean said.

Fate lead Dean and Will to each other. Although the first encounter wasn't the way they expected, the best part was they became friends. Just like the saying, "There is always a rainbow after the rain." Way to go!

“There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.”

- John Lennon