Friday, March 29, 2024
39.0°F

One shattering instant, one long road to recovery

by Brian Walker; Staff Writer
| June 27, 2018 1:00 AM

photo

Post Falls’ Donnie and Carolyn Apple suffered serious injuries during a T-bone collision on June 1 in Post Falls in which a stolen vehicle suspect was trying to outrun police and blew a stop sign. They continue to recover at Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls after brain injuries. Courtesy photo

photo

Pogue

Donnie and Carolyn Apple were doing what retirees are supposed to do — enjoying life. Their new Cadillac CT6 added a little pleasure to the retirement journey.

But on June 1, as the Apples were driving near their home, they were struck by a stolen vehicle driven by a man accused of trying to outrun officers. The suspect blew through a stop sign at Maplewood Avenue and Ross Point Road, according to police, and slammed into the Cadillac.

"This is going to change the rest of their lives permanently," said Steven Barksdale, the couple's son-in-law. "It could happen to anyone in a split second.

"They were going to the store and the police chase only lasted about a half a mile when this happened."

After suffering brain injuries, the Apples have been transferred from Kootenai Health to Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls to start physical therapy.

"The trauma threw them around so violently that both had brain bleeds," Barksdale said. "Carolyn is starting to get her memory back. Donnie had to be re-taught to communicate because he had lost that function. They are going to need home care from now on."

Carolyn, 78, also suffered five broken ribs on her left side and seven on her right.

"They were worried that the jagged way one of her ribs was broken would puncture a lung," Barksdale said.

Donnie, 76, also had a broken right shoulder.

The couple's Cadillac was totaled.

The suspect, Levi Pogue, 26, Spokane, remained at the Kootenai County Jail on Tuesday on $150,000 bond. He faces charges of theft, eluding, obstructing, aggravated DUI and a probation violation warrant. His previous criminal history includes theft, drugs and money laundering.

"I pray for that man daily," Barksdale said. "I don't say this out of revenge, but there are consequences for those who do wrong in life."

Barksdale said the Apples, who have been married 45 years, still have a long road to recovery.

"Carolyn has been very positive throughout the entire ordeal," he said. "I'm shocked that she has such a positive attitude."

Barksdale said the couple are very close to each other and to their family. They moved to Post Falls about three years ago from Sagle, where they’d lived about 25 years.

"They are very concerned about each other, and we're hoping physical therapy helps them," Barksdale said.