Update: Blind man run over at busy intersection, in critical condition
Update 4:50 P.M.WILLMAR — A 58-year-old Willmar man, who is blind, is in critical condition after he was run over by a vehicle and sustained chest injuries around 6 p.m. Monday at the intersection of First Street and 19th Avenue.
By: Gretchen Schlosser, West Central Tribune
Update 4:50 P.M.
WILLMAR — A 58-year-old Willmar man, who is blind, is in critical condition after he was run over by a vehicle and sustained chest injuries around 6 p.m. Monday at the intersection of First Street and 19th Avenue.
According to police reports, Thomas Dennis Sykora was walking south, crossing 19th Avenue in the crosswalk. He was using white cane and a guide dog while wearing a bright yellow jacket with reflective tape, when he was struck and run over by a 2002 Ford pickup driven by Gary Lee Mattson, 55, of Willmar. Mattson allegedly left the scene, but was located later by law enforcement officers.
Sykora was taken by Willmar Ambulance to Rice Memorial Hospital and was later airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition as of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. A witness reported seeing the vehicle stop, pull out to turn and then running over the pedestrian.
A Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s deputy was immediately on the scene and provided medical assistance to Sykora.
The incident remains under investigation by the Willmar Police Department.
Sykora’s guide dog, Nectar, did not appear to be injured in the incident.
Tags: breakingnews, news, local, blind, man, run, over, first, street, 19th, avenue
Alicia S. Kerkhoven, MN 11/19/2009 10:55 AM
I wanted to post this from the Q102 News Website. What has happened is awful. My thoughts and prayers are with both Tom and Mattson. We all can have our own opinions and i believe we should let everone speak their mind with out being ripped into by others. I do hope that Tom survives-God Bless.Q102 News
Blindman in serious condition after being run over
11/18/2009
A blind man with a guide dog, white cane and wearing a yellow, reflecting vest was struck and runover by a pickup as he was crossing a Willmar street Monday evening. Willmar Police Chief Jim Kulset says it happened at South 1st Street and 19th Avenue around 6 p.m. Kulset says it looks like 58-year-old Thomas Sykora of Willmar was crossing 19th Avenue and had nearly reached the corner by Office Max when he was hit by a northbound pickup turning right from 1st Street onto 19th. Kulset says a Kandiyohi County Deputy arrived at the scene almost immeadiately, started giving first aid to Sykora, and briefly spoke to the pickup driver, 55-year-old Gary Mattson of Willmar. Mattson left, and witnesses later said they saw Mattson's pickup go over Sykora. Sykora suffered chest injuries and was taken to Rice Memorial Hospital, and later flown to St. Cloud Hospital where he is currently listed in serious condition. Sykora's guide dog apparently was not hurt. Kulset says the incident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.
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Pat M. Willmar, MN 11/19/2009 12:40 AM
Marie S. of Willmar, it's difficult to tell who's side your are on due to your boarder-line inability to articulate your thoughts. Please repost your opinions with a semblance of intelligence so I can properly communicate mine towards you. "What if this was you" Are you trying to defend the driver? Oh and by the way, that squiggle mark after that sentence means it was a question, it's called punctuation, learn it. "Stop judging and trying putting the shoe on the other foot" Wow, where to begin? If this, once again difficult to tell who you are defending (sounds like Mr. Two DWI to me), is really your thoughts your righteous self has just been invited to my driveway where you will be given a blindfold and told to lay down. I will then, at a moment I feel right, proceed to drive over your chest with my pickup truck. Then your thoughts about the shoes changing feet will be oh so accurate. Once again, if your post wasn't defending the driver and instead defending the blind man walking in a crosswalk, waving a cane in front of him, wearing a luminescent coat, with a guide dog, then completely disregard this message and take CAPS lock off.Report a Violation
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juan j. 11/19/2009 8:37 PM
Alicia- I'm so glad your praying for Tom Sykora AND Mr Mattson. I'm glad I live in America and can have my opinion and be able to tell you that you and Maria S and Jason from Pennock, can all move in together and pray for the 911 killers who flew the planes into the world trade centers, child killers, and while your still in la-la land, pray for Charlie Manson too. You will be eating your words when this case goes to trail and the poor Mr Mattson is found guilty. Hurray to Pat M. of Willmar for telling Maria like it is. You will get "ripped into" when you go so far left and defend the bad guys. If I ever get a few DUI's and run over blind people, then flee the scene of a felony,... I hope I get you and your new roommates on my 12-person jury. I'll celebrate with you guys after my acquittal. Drinks will be on me!Report a Violation