Ben's Wake-Up CallRoethlisberger Undergoes Surgery, Still Hospitalized
Doctor: Brain, Spine, Chest, Abdomen Look OK
POSTED: 11:50 am EDT June 12,
2006
UPDATED: 2:54 pm EDT June 13,
2006
PITTSBURGH -- Doctors who operated on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at Mercy Hospital said all of his fractures have been successfully repaired.Roethlisberger underwent seven hours of surgery after a motorcycle crash near the 10th Street Bridge on Monday morning. He remained in serious but stable condition on Tuesday morning.According to a police source, Roethlisberger suffered a broken jaw, broke his left sinus cavity, suffered a 9-inch laceration to the back of his head, lost many teeth and has injuries to his knees from hitting the pavement.
Dr. Daniel Pituch, who led the team that operated on Roethlisberger, said the patient's brain, spine, chest and abdomen all look OK."On behalf of everyone within the Steelers organization, I want to express my concern for Ben Roethlisberger. I am sure Ben knows that we are praying for his complete recovery. So far, we have been encouraged by the early reports from the medical team at Mercy Hospital," Steelers president Art Rooney said.
Police said the accident happened just after 11 a.m. on Second Avenue, near the intersection with the bridge and the Armstrong Tunnel.A witness told Channel 4 Action News that Roethlisberger went over his handlebars, hit the windshield of a car and then fell to the ground.The witness said she saw the accident and went over to help but did not recognize Roethlisberger. When she asked him what his name was, she said he replied, "Ben."The woman added that Roethlisberger asked her a series of questions, including where he was and what state he was in. He attempted to stand up but the woman said she encouraged him not to move until paramedics arrived.The bike and the car, a silver Chrysler New Yorker, have been towed to a police facility in Troy Hill for investigation.The 62-year-old Pittsburgh woman who was driving the New Yorker is not believed to have been seriously injured.Roethlisberger was not wearing a helmet, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. In the past, he has publicly said he prefers to ride helmetless, which is legal in Pennsylvania.Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw has been an outspoken critic of Roethlisberger's motorcycle activity, saying Roethlisberger should stay off bikes until his playing career ends.Police have not filed charges and have not said how fast either of the driver was going at the time of the accident.The investigation will take at least a week, Channel 4 Action News reporter Paul Van Osdol said.Roethlisberger's family is in Pittsburgh. They arrived at the hospital just before 5 p.m. Monday. Several of Roethlisberger's teammates also visited the hospital on Monday.Refresh this page for updates as they become available, and stay with WTAE Channel 4 Action News for live team coverage.
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Police said the accident happened just after 11 a.m. on Second Avenue, near the intersection with the bridge and the Armstrong Tunnel.A witness told Channel 4 Action News that Roethlisberger went over his handlebars, hit the windshield of a car and then fell to the ground.The witness said she saw the accident and went over to help but did not recognize Roethlisberger. When she asked him what his name was, she said he replied, "Ben."The woman added that Roethlisberger asked her a series of questions, including where he was and what state he was in. He attempted to stand up but the woman said she encouraged him not to move until paramedics arrived.The bike and the car, a silver Chrysler New Yorker, have been towed to a police facility in Troy Hill for investigation.The 62-year-old Pittsburgh woman who was driving the New Yorker is not believed to have been seriously injured.Roethlisberger was not wearing a helmet, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. In the past, he has publicly said he prefers to ride helmetless, which is legal in Pennsylvania.Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw has been an outspoken critic of Roethlisberger's motorcycle activity, saying Roethlisberger should stay off bikes until his playing career ends.Police have not filed charges and have not said how fast either of the driver was going at the time of the accident.The investigation will take at least a week, Channel 4 Action News reporter Paul Van Osdol said.Roethlisberger's family is in Pittsburgh. They arrived at the hospital just before 5 p.m. Monday. Several of Roethlisberger's teammates also visited the hospital on Monday.Refresh this page for updates as they become available, and stay with WTAE Channel 4 Action News for live team coverage.
Previous Stories:
- May 16, 2005: Bradshaw To Ben: Park It!
- May 6, 2005: Big Ben Addresses Bike Controversy
- May 4, 2005: 'Burgh Buzzing Over Big Ben's Big Bike
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