California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Ericson is recovering after being intentionally run over in April. Ericson was released from the hospital in June, but still has a long way to go.
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"I'm not a patient person," Ericson said with a smile. "I'm walking more and more. Now it's with a cane. It used to be walker. Before that, in a wheelchair. I have good days and bad days. Nothing's really bad, it's just some days are better than others."
The 17-year veteran of the CHP was in critical condition for weeks and spent months in the ICU.
For Ericson, the whole thing is a blur.
"I don't remember anything about the incident. I don't even remember getting to the office," Ericson said. "I remember talking to my wife on cell phone before I started my shift."
The first memory he does have wasn't until about a month after the accident. By that time, he had already gone through more than ten surgeries.
Ericson said he shattered his pelvis and both his hips, dislocated his left hip, shattered his upper right arm and broke his left wrist. He also had internal injuries and a concussion.
Despite the tremendous amount of physical challenges, Ericson said it was mind over matter that brought him to this point.
"I had a will to survive," Ericson said. "I guarantee the fact that I'm Marine, I'm a highway patrol officer, and as well as the public support gave me my will."
When talking about the man who did this to him or how he miraculously survived, Ericson didn't get too emotional. It was talking about the public support that meant the most to him.
"When I first got to my house out of the hospital, there were just probably a thousand letter or cards," Ericson said. "All the support has been overwhelming. It's been great."
The support from strangers and his CHP family has kept his spirits high.
Ericson had to miss his twin sons' high school graduations, but other officers attended in his place and even brought his photo. It was like he was there.
Ericson said he also misses spending his free time desert racing, but most of all he wants to get back to work. He hopes to get back to where he belongs - the highway - by next April. It would be the one-year anniversary of his injury.