I orginally posted this on November 26th but was advised by Toni to take it down so that I wouldn't be hounded by news reporters. As Bryce is no longer the top news story, I'm going to post it again as this was a huge part of my life for the last couple of months. I'm also adding interesting article links that I had posted to our high school's forum at MySpace.
I'm a little late in posting this but late is better than never. I'm writing because of a situation that occurred here in Cincinnati Saturday night around 4:30 PM. Let me just start at the beginning...
A suspect purchased hypodermic needles from a local grocery store pharmacy where is it alleged that that suspect and two others used those needles in an SUV in the parking lot of said grocery store to shoot up heroin. This suspect was a passenger in the SUV.
The police were notified and the driver refused to pull over when asked to do so. A high speed car chase through Cincinnati ensued. Toward the end of the pursuit, the SUV clipped a pickup truck which sent the pickup truck skidding off the highway at high speed. Two police officers where waiting on the side of the highway to deploy stop sticks (you know those things that puncture tires so the car stops.) The first officer got out of the way. The second officer was not so fortunate. The truck struck Sgt. Bryce Bezdek (Toni's husband) who sustained severe head and chest trauma. He was life flighted to University Hospital where he remains in critical condition. He is stabilizing and doctors have had positive neurological responses from Bryce through they have yet to get any physical responses. Doctors are guardedly optimistic and are watching him around the clock. To respect Toni's request for privacy, I'm not going to divulge anything that hasn't been made public knowledge.
Here are some news articles and videos:
Cincinnati Police Officer Seriously Injured Helping With Chase
CPD Sergeant "Critical" After Being Struck During I-75 Suspect Pursuit
Family Of Injured CPD Sergeant Asks For Privacy And Prayers, Still Critical
Officer Critically Injured During Police Pursuit - Video - WLWT Cincinnati
Police Explain How Chase Went Wrong - Video - WLWT Cincinnati
Why do I have such an interest in this? Toni's been one of my best friends since middle school and I've known Bryce since high school. We all went to the same church in East Palestine, Ohio. I was maid of honor at their elopement. She was to be my matron of honor but unfortunate circumstances kept her from being able to fulfill that commitment.
So, how can you help? Pray. Pray hard. Pray often. Pray for Bryce to stabilize so other tests can be run and so that he can give those doctors the physical responses they're waiting for. Pray for strength for Toni to balance keeping a bedside vigil plus spend time with her children. Pray for their two precious children. Pray for strength for the rest of Bryce's family who have and will be travelling to Cincinnati. I also have on my heart to pray for the 8 year old child who was the passenger in the truck that hit Bryce. He/she was treated and released after the accident but they will forever have the vision of their car skidding and their side of the car hitting Bryce. That is a horrible vision to obtained at such a young age.
Posted December 4th:
Update on Bryce's condition:
Injured officer improving
Father of child in pick-up truck speaks out:
Driver: Chase 'not worth it'
Update on charges for driver:
Driver indicted in crash
Posted December 6th:
Update on Bryce's Condition:
Injured cop heading to rehab
Posted December 11th:
Update:
Police Officer Hurt In A Chase Goes Home