Local guitarist in critical condition after being hit by semi
Matt Kelly, guitarist for indie-rockers CHAZ, is in critical condition at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest after being struck by a semi truck last Friday morning (Dec. 18) according to a post a post on MySpace and a report on the website bikesd.org. The accident occurred at Fairmont and Orange Avenue in City Heights.
According to a friend, Lauren Leonard, who sent bikesd.org an email explaining the incident, Kelly was traveling eastbound on Orange when the semi clipped him from behind and ran him over without realizing it. Kelly was dragged about 20 feet underneath the truck before the driver stopped. After paramedics and authorities worked for 20-40 minutes to get him out from underneath, he was rushed to the hospital where they found that his pelvic blade and femur were shattered along with internal bleeding for which he had to have four surgeries.
After he regained consciousness, he was able to wiggle his toes and smile at his sister, but he will remain in the hospital for several more weeks and will need more surgeries to help repair his bones according to Leonard. A concert was held at Kelly’s house (nicknamed the Piano Shop House) on Sunday evening with Long Beach band Crystal Antlers headlining and donating the $500 raised at the door to help with Kelly’s medical costs. The family has also set up a website, www.friendsofmattkelly.com, for additional donations.
Matt Kelly is an incredible man. Thank you for writing this. Please visit http://www.friendsofmattkelly.com to help this remarkable artist and friend.
Thanks so much for posting this story. If you want to read of Matt’s strength and his recovery his sister is keeping a Blog
http://matthewscottkelly.blogspot.com/