Grossman Burn Centers News

Homecoming Today For Teen Burned In Bishop Crash

07.19.11

Derek Thomas Has Spent 11 Month In Burn Unit

SAN DIEGO -- A homecoming is scheduled Tuesday to celebrate the recovery of a local teenager critically injured in a fiery crash in Bishop last summer.

Derek Thomas, 19, has spent the last 11 months at the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills. The Cathedral Catholic High School graduate will be released at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Derek will arrive at Scripps Hospital Encinitas around 2 p.m. People are expected to line the streets to welcome him home.

Derek suffered burns over 85 percent of his body during the August 9 crash on Highway 395 just south of Mammoth Lakes in Central California. Derek was one of five people in an SUV that went out of control, crossed the center line, and collided with a van carrying student athletes from California Baptist University.

The SUV burst into flames. The cheerleading coach who was driving the van was killed.

Derek’s girlfriend, Amanda Post, and his childhood friend, Natalie Nield died in the crash. Drew Delis suffered severe burns. An athletic trainer also died in the crash.

Derek, Drew, Natalie and Amanda are all graduates of Cathedral Catholic High School in Carmel Valley. They were headed back to San Diego from Mammoth where they took part in high altitude fitness training.

Derek’s chances of survival were estimated at less than 1 percent.

The only parts of his body that did not suffer third degree burns were the top of his thighs, the soles of his feet, and a part of his scalp. He was kept in a medically induced coma for four months. Doctors say he still has years of treatments ahead of him.

Original article: 10News.com        « Back to News