TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Daniel Clark was working construction on I-75 near Long Lake Road in Troy back in April when a friend and fellow worker accidentally backed into him.
“I fell to the ground and was pinned underneath the truck against the tires," Clark told Action News.
He had collapsed lungs, a broken pelvis and serious internal bleeding.
“I was near death. I really was,” he said.
On Wednesday, Clark made a major breakthrough – he walked.
“I grabbed those bars and the Lord took me where I needed to be," said the father of three.
WALKING AGAIN! Daniel Clark of Westland almost died back in April, when he was backed over by a truck while on a construction job. Today, he walked for the first time since his accident @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/9rqBKnGWcv
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) July 4, 2019
Clark has been at the Special Tree Neurocare Center in Romulus for about a month and a half. Other than those first steps forward, reuniting with his 5-year-old son Nicholas meant the most. Clark hadn't seen him for 52 days while he was in the hospital.
“It was unbelievable," Clark said. "It really was. I was so excited to see him.”
Clark had only been at his job for three days when the accident happened. A full recovery isn't certain, given the extent of his injuries but Clark is optimistic that one day he'll walk on his own.
“As of right now, just sit back and enjoy the ride,” he said.
Clark is getting Workman's Compensation while he recovers, and said the outpouring of community support has meant a lot.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for ongoing medical costs: https://www.gofundme.com/daniel-clark-jr-we-care
