Surfer Dakota Briley continues Recovery Five Months After North Shore Crash
HONOLULU – Dakota Briley, 20, is making progress in his recovery nearly five months after a vehicle veered off Kamehameha Highway on Oahu‘s North Shore and pinned him between two cars. The young surfer suffered life-threatening injuries, including fractures to his spine and brain, and a punctured lung, and spent almost two months in a coma at The Queen’s Medical Center.
Briley is now receiving specialized care at Craig Hospital,a spine and brain rehabilitation facility in Denver,Colorado,since August. His sister, Erin Lau, shared an update Sunday on HNN Sunrise, noting his remarkable improvements.
“He had fractures to his spine, his brain, a punctured lung, and so it’s really we’re so thankful to Queens and everyone’s love and prayers. That is how he got through that,” Lau said.
Lau reported that Briley has regained speech, is laughing and joking, and recently experienced the joy of being in a pool for the first time since the accident. “He had the biggest smile. He was laughing. He told us all about how he kept wanting to go underwater and hold his breath for as long as he wanted or could, but it’s really raised his spirits.”
The family faces significant financial challenges as Briley’s recovery continues, including necessary home modifications for wheelchair accessibility. Community support through GoFundMe and an auction has been instrumental.
“it’s really as of our community, through GoFundMe, we did an auction, there’s just been so much generosity. And so it’s really, really helped,” Lau stated. “We know the road ahead is long…all of the funds, generosity from the North Shore, from around the world has really made a difference.”
Lau emphasized her brother’s resilience. ”He’s such a fighter every day, he works so hard to get stronger and I think honestly for me he inspires me to just keep going to stay positive and his journey is nowhere near over but he has been so optimistic and he knows we can do this.”
those wishing to contribute to Briley’s recovery can donate through his GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-dakota-brileys-fight-for-recovery.
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