Dean McLean was turning his life around.
Now, the former Coldstream resident is fighting for his life.
McLean, 24, was working for LitterBug Waste Dispoal in Maple Ridge when, on the morning of Oct. 13, he was crossing a Maple Ridge street when he was struck by a PT Cruiser.
The incident came just three weeks after McLean had successfully completed a two-year drug rehabilitation program that he voluntarily entered.
“He was completely rehabilitated and that should help with his recovery from his injuries because he was clean,” said Dana Schnyder of Vernon, a longtime friend of McLean’s.
Ridge Meadows RCMP report McLean was thrown into the windshield of the PT Cruiser by the impact, then thrown to the ground.
The accident was witnessed by Ridge Meadows RCMP and Speed Watch volunteers who were in the area to monitor speed.
An off-duty Surrey Mountie also witnessed the accident.
Police said speed was not an issue in regards to the crash.
McLean was airlifted to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster.
According to McLean’s family, the accident left McLean in a coma. He was then further induced into a medical coma after which doctors paralyzed his organs to reduce stimulation on his brain, though Schnyder said Thursday that doctors are slowly taking McLean off that medication.
He also contracted pneumonia.
His prognosis remains unclear as doctors have said there is blood flowing into the brain, which means he is not brain dead, but know little else at this point.
McLean’s family is keeping vigil at his bedside at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster.
“Dean’s just a loud, outgoing all-round great guy,” said Schnyder. “He just took some wrong turns in life but it was his choice to go to rehab. We’re all praying for him.”
—with files from the Maple Ridge News
