Author: John Lee
While anxious new students and seasoned upperclassmen made their way through Oxy’s campus on the first day of classes, Derek Thomas (first-year) lay in a medically-induced coma as a result of a devastating car crash. Thomas, 19, spent what should have been his first weeks of college football practice in the intensive care unit at the Grossman Burn Center of West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles.
Although Thomas never made it to Oxy, news of his accident spread among both his teammates and the larger campus population. “Our great head coach and leader, Coach Widolff, kept us updated on the […] situation as soon as it happened and throughout camp,” said linebacker Todd Mark (senior). “We have kept him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Other members of the football team are just as supportive. Despite not having had an opportunity to interact with Thomas on the field, they still consider him a bona fide Tiger. “Unfortunately we did not get the chance to know Derek overly well,” said Defensive Coordinator Erik Johnson. “Even though Derek has not practiced with our guys, he’s part of the squad because they know he’d be right there with them day in and day out if he could.” Mark echoes this sentiment. “Although he never had the chance to suit up, [Thomas] will always be a member of the Occidental football community,” he said.
Despite their disappointment, the team is hopeful that Thomas will make a fast recovery and join them on the field as an official Oxy athlete. “I never got to meet Derek, but after seeing the way people have gathered together in support of him I can tell that he is an extraordinary person,” Dillon Tucker (senior) said. “We all are hoping for the best and hope that one day we will have the honor of sharing the field with Derek.”
Thomas was one of over a dozen people involved in a devastating automobile accident on Aug. 9 near Bishop, CA, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The car Thomas and four others were riding in struck a van carrying members of the cross country team of California Baptist University of Riverside at around 8:20 p.m. The car burst into flames upon impact.Thomas’ girlfriend Amanda Post and friend Natalie Nield died in the crash, as did Cal Baptist cheerleading coach Wendy Rice. Thomas, fellow high school alumnus Drew Delis and sports trainer John Adams suffered severe burns, and all three were taken to intensive care units.
Since the accident, there has been an abundance of support for the victims and their families. A prayer service held in the aftermath of the tragedy saw over 200 gathered in mourning. Several YouTube videos have also been created in memory of the victims.
So far, over 5,000 people – friends, family and strangers alike – have joined the Facebook page “Pray for Derek Thomas” and voiced their encouragement and support. However, the most heartening words can be found on a page dedicated to Thomas on CaringBridge.org, a website designed to keep friends and family connected during times of medical crisis. Viewers can read journal entries submitted by Thomas’ aunt Trudi Kuhn, who, in spite of recent events, brings messages of hope.
With the amount of support that Thomas has received both on and off campus, there is little doubt that he will receive a warm welcome when he finally comes to Oxy.
To stay updated on Thomas’ recovery and to leave your thoughts for Thomas and his family, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/prayforderekthomas.
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