TYLER TURNER IN REHAB

By THE STAFF
Of the Beacon

DEPOE BAY — I all went according to plan, Depoe Bay's Tyler Turner had recovered sufficiently from his operation to be moved to a Corvallis rehab center to begin his arduous recovery process from the injuries he suffered in a June 27 accident.
The incident occurred when a van was attempting to make a left turn from Collins St. onto Hwy 101. Turner was unable to avoid the van and his motorcycle slammed into the van, leaving Tyler with three broken vertebrae, a broken sternum and paralyzed from the chest down.
The driver of the van was Carol Collp of Fallon, Nevada. She was charged with failure to yield the right of way. Neither Ms. Collp nor her two passengers, also Nevadans, were injured in the accident.
On Monday, July 7, the Beacon learned that Tyler's chances of walking again are not good. Earlier reports indicated that his odds on walking are 50-50.
After the accident, Tyler was stabilized at Samaritan PCH in Newport, then life flighted to Portland's Emmanuel Hospital. He underwent surgery to insert pins in his damaged vertebrae. His spinal cord was not severed in the accident, but it was swollen.
At first, Tyler was reported to be understandably depressed, but after a few days he was exchanging text messages with friends. Tyler is the son of Jurgen and Teri Turner and was born in Depoe Bay 20 years ago. He graduated from Taft, where he was an outstanding student and athlete.
No matter what the ultimate outcome, the expenses incurred by the Turners will be enormous. Their home on South Point St. will undergo serious remodeling to accommodate Tyler in his current condition. To help defray costs, a fund has been established at West Coast Bank and donations may be made at any West Coast branch. The fund name is “Tradewinds for the Benefit of Tyler Turner Recovery Fund.”
Everyone we've talked to since the accident hopes that Tyler understands that he still faces a long, full and rewarding life whether he walks again or not. And that his home town's thoughts and prayers are with him every day.