MEEKER I Two of the three Meeker teenagers injured in a two-vehicle accident on County Road 13 (Flag Creek Road) just before midnight on April 8 are now back at home in Meeker, recovering from their injuries.
The third is still hospitalized in serious condition.
According to social media, 17-year-old Tyler Ilgen was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction after the accident, where he had surgery on a badly broken left arm. Arriving home on Monday, he is now recovering.
Cole Purcell, 18, also returned home from St. Mary’s on Monday and is recovering from his injuries.
His mother, Annie Purcell, posted a message on Facebook that every parent can identify with: “The hardest part of being a parent is watching a child going through something really tough and not being able to fix it for them.”
Also, according to social media, 17-year-old Bradi Bland—the driver of the primary vehicle, a Ford F250 pickup truck, and the most seriously injured of the three teenagers—remains in Denver Children’s Hospital with traumatic brain injury.
A drawing for the Bradi Bland Benefit Raffle, the proceeds of which will go toward medical expenses, will be held April 30 at the conclusion of the Meeker youth wrestling tournament.
Rangely resident Deven Striegel donated the raffle items: a Garth Brooks-autographed guitar and a Peyton Manning-autographed football jersey, both with documentation proving their authenticity. Tickets are $5 per ticket or five for $20. Contact Striegel or Meeker High School for more information or to purchase tickets.
In addition, a Go Fund Me account has been created in Bradi’s name to help cover medical expenses and the cost of the family’s extended stay in Denver. Visit www.gofundme.com/dcyqq4v8 to contribute online.
According to Colorado State Trooper Nathaniel Reid of CSP Public Affairs, the cause of the accident is still being investigated. Those in the second car involved in the accident were uninjured.
