De Crescenzo slowly recovering from traumatic crash
Lauren De Crescenzo's friends and family hope to raise $75,000 to defray medical expenses, after she suffers injuries in San Dimas crash.
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Lauren De Crescenzo’s friends and family hope to raise $75,000 to defray medical expenses, after the 25-year-old Coloradan suffered serious injuries in a crash at a California race on April 2.
In the closing meters of stage 2 of the San Dimas Stage Race, the Visit Dallas – DNA rider caught her handlebar in the metal fencing lining the course and crashed. Teammate and physician assistant Beth Ann Orton was the first person on the scene, followed by EMTs. De Crescenzo was airlifted to the University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she was placed in a medically induced coma for evaluation.
Initial CAT scans showed no bleeding in the brain, but subsequent scans did. More recent scans show the bleeding has not gotten worse and her condition is stable. De Crescenzo had serious lacerations and two broken bones in her left hand. Later X-rays showed an occipital condyle fracture and a T1 fracture. The T1 fracture does not affect her spinal support, however.
As of April 10, De Crescenzo is still in the ICU, but all tubes have been removed and she can speak. Her memory is still spotty, but improving. She has even been able to recognize her favorite music and go through social media accounts with friends. Her physical injuries are healing, but the head injury is more complicated. Doctors say she is making progress and showing signs of recovery.
De Crescenzo’s medical bills will be massive, so friends and family have set up a GoFundMe page. The money raised will be used to pay any expenses that her insurance will not cover. As of Monday afternoon, $17,305 has been raised in three days.