Westport commercial fisherman, Brent Williams, 25, was critically injured Sept. 1 in a head-on collision in southern Alaska.
Williams attended Ocosta schools where he played football, and was well known for his speed on the field. He started fishing out of Westport when he was 15, and has commercial fished in Alaska from May to October for the past several years.
Two killed
The collision occurred 125 miles south of Fairbanks at Mile 152 on the two-lane paved on the Parks Highway. Alaska State Troopers (AST) received a report of the accident at 5:45 p.m.
According to an AST accident memo, Anchorage resident Wilton Florencio Villa, 27, was driving a 2003 Lincoln Navigator SUV that crossed into the oncoming northbound lane and struck a 2000 Saturn SL sedan head-on. Dontaveon Green, 33, was driving the sedan. Both Green and his passenger, Patricia Williams, 23, also a Fairbanks resident, were killed in the crash.
A LifeMed helicopter transported Villa and Williams to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, approximately 240 miles south of the accident scene. Williams was admitted in critical condition, with Villa listed as in serious condition.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. An AST spokesperson stated that the weather was good, the roadway was dry and it was a straight stretch of highway.
Extensive injuries
Williams’ mother, Westport resident, Lynn (Maxfield) Falconer, who has worked as a desk agent at the Islander, Chateau Westport and Breakers Boutique Inn, flew to Alaska immediately after hearing of her son’s accident and has been with him since, as well as Brent’s cousin, Sharie Newland.
According to Falconer, Brent’s back was broken in three places, his left ankle was shattered and his right shoulder was dislocated. He also suffered a ruptured spleen that had to be removed, liver lacerations, a collapsed lung and a fractured sternum.
Additionally, his stomach was perforated. It and his diaphragm were both pushed up into his chest cavity. He has also suffered ligament damage to his neck and extensive soft tissue damage.
Current condition
After multiple surgeries, William’s ankle has been repaired, he has had back surgery with several screws placed, still has a chest tube, but is now able to eat soft foods.
“He won’t be released from ICU for at least another week or two, and then will be moved to a regular room for I don’t know how long, his mother reports.
“He can’t even attempt to put weight on his ankle for a minimum of three months, and can’t even think of flying out for at least a month due to his back,” said Falconer.
Financial crisis
Because of the seriousness of Williams’ injuries and the amount of time he and his mother will be in Alaska before they can return to Westport, family finances are being quickly depleted. An online fundraiser has been set up at: www.gofundme.com/BrentWilliams
For those who do not wish to participate online, but still want to donate, deposits can be made to the Richard and Lynn Falconer checking account at the Westport branch of Bank of America.
All donations in any amount would be most welcome and appreciated by Brent and his family.
