Does anyone know if he will be paralyzed? I sure hope he has a full recovery. I don't know this person or family, but wish them well.

2U~
Agreed.

Darius and Avid you need to take this somewhere else...this comment area is not for your personal debates...you have lost your insight to the issue here...time to move on already!

avid
Just because you're not in that category doesn't mean it's not going on in mainstream society! You are the preverbial "OSTRICH WITH THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND!" As long as things are going your way, "the heck" with everyone else, right? This world doesn't revolve around you and me! It's way bigger. The fact is, family structure's, integrity, honor and duty have been put on the back burner by mainstream America. Many kids aren't being raised by pure, core valued morals anymore. They're being raised by someone else, "the media" ...... you call me a hypocrite. Not sure what your logic is, but, you're entitled to your opinion. I do know this, I do my research and it's not based on what corporate American media tells me. They don't want me or you to know the truth. That's a fact. You can call me names and slam me all you like, but, I'll tell you this, "a person of opinion will always be at the mercy of a person with the facts".......

darius, nice speech, unfortunatly you are preachin to the wrong person. I have 0 credit cards, because if I can't afford it, I don't get it, I do not have cable, or subscription's to anything, and my little tater tot, is way to busy being an athlete, and a peer mentor, and being a kid, that there is no time for the cable we don't have anyways. I'm still laughing, cuz you need to wake up and see what a hypocrite you are being. And where do you get your figures, do you dream them up, or do you get them from another source you are so against?

I am sorry that I did not take the time to read the other 46 responses to this story. One did say the State of Wisconsin is responsible for the Interstate. The overgrown grass is the responsibility of the county of Rock. They are paid by the federal government for their service that they do on the Interstate Highway.

The blame for not mowing the grassy areas goes way, way back. I have been retired for 11 years and I can remember when we had problems getting the grass mowed at the state scales in the 1980's.

This gentleman had an accident, simple, yes it was his fault because he was on that highway at that time, but the aftermath of the accident is what has caused the most injury.

had he not found his cell phone, he would have died right in sight of the public eyesight because someone didn't mow the grass. that's the bottom line, he is not the blame because he had an accident. that ramp is very rough and on a motorcycle you don't have much of a chance when you lose it.

Don't blame him or his injuries, because government, from the feds on down didn't do their jobs.

we want expressway to get to and from locations fast now days, so lets find the money to keep them maintained.

Let's do something now, before this kind of event happens again.

pablo
Correct! It's called personal ACCOUNTABILITY! I'm not speaking of Mr. Elmer or anyone else specifically, for that matter (just for the record!) Great point to be made though......People put themselves in the positions they are in, yet are quick to point the finger at others or put the blame somewhere else. We have enough of that going on with Govt.! Regardless of why the accident occured, I too am praying that Mr. Elmer makes a full recovery and that he as well EVERY person on planet earth keeps an important principle in mind: "DON'T DWELL ON YOUR MISTAKES, LEARN FROM THEM AND MOVE FORWARD." We are all fallen and we're going to make mistakes in life, it's how we learn from them that defines us.

Some people said that it doesn't matter if alcohol was a factor, It is if that got him there in the first place. If it was I'm glad he hurt himself and not one of your or my family members. Bring on the hate posts because you all know that I'm right.

avid
It's not just the Gazette. This culture has been engulfed by TV and video games which has turned mainstream America into a society of couch potatoes raising the next generation of tater tots. The media, (Gazette included) is there to help you part with your hard earned dollar. Consumer capital is king. If you don't believe that, you're lost just like the rest of 95% America! Why do you think they charge companies to advertise in their paper? Possibly to get your money? As far as TV goes, if you don't think TV is a prime media source to help people part with their money, you're wrong there too. People are paying for TV now just to see a picture...and to top it off, they're in "bed" with the companies who advertise who are there soley to educate you on the best way to spend your money.... on them! Most people don't realize this is even happening to them because they've been raised this way and don't know any different! Why do you think 99% of this country has debt? Why do you think there's more bankruptcy's filed every year than college diploma's handed out? Why do you think credit card debt is at an all time high? Wake up!

Again I laugh at all the so-called anti media, Gazette, or whatever they claim to be against, because if it were in fact true, we would never have to read one of their anti B.S. posts, because they would not be here reading what they claim is such garbage. Pretty hypocritical.
They too are the "dummies" and the "ostrich's" they refer too, because they too keep coming back for more.

"WHAT marker number...?" the 911 operator asks!!!...??? <lol! But, NOT really, I suppose! :)> You have to REALLY appreciate the injured man's response/& or COMPOSURE to THAT question!! :) :) :)...re: DESPITE the ordeal he'd ALREADY been thru???...!!! By itself, THAT was truly AMAZING!! :) :) :) ...Someone was looking out for him...DEFINATELY!!! ;)
.
Prayers to Him & his Family! :) God Bless!

P.S. I happen to like the photograph.

Devin: I pray that the worst of your ordeal is over. Your inner-strength is absolutely amazing. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless.

hope Mr. Elmer makes a full recovery.

Stay strong, you are in my thoughts and prayers...
Good looking out, all you folks at the Rock Co. 911 center.

I just saw devin and hes doing as good as he can be! if u have something mean to say keep it to yourself! Devin is a great guy who had something bad happen to him. he has been thru enough without all your negativity!

I would like to say thanks to the 911 call center operator!!! I don't know you the operator(Wogaman), I don't know Devin but you asked enough questions and found him and that is job well done! Devin I wish you luck on your recovery and would like to add that you are truly a smart man for different attempts to flag down traffic in the condition that you were in. As for the people that wonder why the grass isn't cut- It may be to steep to mow safely, just an idea!!!

maybe the city should mow more often because of this accident. for the safety of people in the ditch. that is uncalled for it the grass is so high you cannot see a car in there!!I do remember an accident not to long ago that a emt was driving to work and noticed a glow of light in the field and pulled over to save a guy.oh i forgot we dont have enough money to mow but can build a $700 k tunnel. maybe it is the states responcibility either way MOW THE GRASS

I have been in his shoes. Late at night,this time of the year with mosquitoes, on a back road with no traffic. With a back injury, all I could do is wait. Thankfully, someone came by within a half hour. For Devin to lay in the ditch for 30 hours in this hot muggy weather and having to think about his survival is a huge test for a human. My prayers are with you Devin.

If this was someone in my family, this blog would be the last thing on my mind. In any case, this guy is some kind of a hero for hanging on and not giving up and it was extraordinary circumstances that led to his rescue.

I visited him at the hospital yesterday.
He couldn't get up the hill because it was so steep. It took him hours to get up it about 25 feet. He has a broken back, ribs, and leg. He tried all day to get attention by throwing his leather jacket in the air for over 3 hours, trying to make the sun catch the face of his watch, waving his arms, all kinds of things to no avail. He was there over 30 hours, no water, in high large thickets!
Do we really need all this skeptisism and evaluation? He's lucky to be alive. He realized no one was going to find him after it got dark the second night...when traffic declined to nearly nothing in the early morning hours before the sun came up he was able to hear his cell phone beeping and it took him 3 hours plus to crawl by his elbows to find it...
The cell phone saved his life...obviously a miracle from above!
This could be you or someone in your family how would you like all the gossip and constant criticism?

And some of you guys might want to check to see if that really is the deep end that you are standing in. :-)

You sound kind of defensive, but you're welcome.

garyprimer, your intellect astounds me! Thanks for pointing that out. Can you imagine someone actually making a mistake and admitting to it and actually apologizing for it? Probably never happen... right?

The first word in the post was "Kleej". ?????

avidreader,
I apologize. I thought that post was for me. I see it was 'kleej'. Just the same, I agree with kleej. The media, including the Gazette "dummies" down to the consumers. It sells.

avidreader,
I'm all about truth. I'm not here to entertain you, however, I'm happy to hear you're so amused. So is the Gazette for sure. It keeps the "ostrich's with their heads in the sand" coming back for more.

I think that highway maintenance must be cutting back on mowing or maybe it is just all of the rain that we have been having. I have been seeing more trees getting started along the highways. The longer that you put off dealing with them, the more expensive it will get. What's wrong with the guy's picture? You guys all movie stars or something?

I pray for Devin's recovery.
Why on earth is that tall weed infested area not mowed??? It is not an attractive entrance/exit to Janesville, maybe Mr.Elmer would have been seen had the weeds been mowed.

My prayers go out to the Elmer Family. May you have strength and love through this ordeal.

Darius? Did you listen to the Pod Cast?

Kleej, sorry, but you are my only source of enterainment these days as I do not have cable or any other kind of tv connection, never had a magazine subscription, can't read the paper from cover to cover, because I do not subscribe to it either, but at least I can log on here and get a good laugh at your comments on how terrible the Gazette is. You are a perfect example of an oxymoron. crazcass, you are correct, but some people don't care about the truth, let alone understand it, they just prefer to babble on about things they know nothing about, because if they talked about things they knew, they would have nothing to say. So just let them rant on, it's good for business.

Does anyone ever think about how they got the picture? Im pretty much sure they didn't google it. Most of the time, they ask the family for a picture when they make an interview for a story. If the family gave them the picture, then what will you have to say now.

kleej
not only that, they have a podcast of the man making a 911 call. There's no privacy anymore in this country. Companies leveraging off of other people's misfortunes. You're right, it's a crying shame!

3BD,
The Gazette is good for that. Why put a picture with the article at all? Let the poor guy have his dignity! Once again, the Gazette using "sensationalism" to attract the readers. It's not about Mr. Elmer's best interest, they paper needs to make a buck....so what if it's a Mr. Elmer's expense... it's a cryin' shame.

3BD--that's mean! Does he really need to be put down for his picture along with possibly being paralyzed? If he were your family member, would you like someone to say something like that? Think before you write!

Babsjv asked...the guestion is if he could find his cell phone then why couldn't he get up the hill for help?
He has a shattered knee, and is paralyzed from the waist down. He crawled on his elbows to where he heard his phone beeping in the tall grass. Not to mention he was dehydrated and in shock. I wish people would read the article before commenting on stupid things!

babsjlv- did you read the article? This man was paralized from the accident. As someone who works in the healthcare profession this man is very luck to be alive. At this point does it matter if alcohol was involved? NO. Thank goodness he was able to deal with the pain and find his cell phone. And yes, he would have pain even being paralized because it diverts into areas of the body that he can feel. I wish Devin a speedy recovery and continued prayers for him and his family. And kudos the 911 dispatch center.

Pablo I think you are right in asking if it was a factor. Great question but no one will ever know because he was ther for 24 hours. the guestion is if he could find his cell phone then why couldn't he get up the hill for help? Anyway hope he is all right and learned from what happened and other learn too.

I definitely think Dane County's 911 operators could learn a few things on protocol and saving a life. Kudos to our staff.

This is one very good example where taxes can be well worth the money. They saved a life. Excellent job done by the 911 center.

Great job 911, your service more than likely saved this man's life!

Lucky guy, the ramps are terrible but could alcohol have been a factor?

Wow! What a will to live. He must have been pretty well hidden. I drive by the area daily en route to my job in Madison. I will keep this man and his family in my prayers. Great job, 911 responders!

Are you serious 3BD?!? My God.

The State is responsible for Interstate construction and maintance, not the county.

bennetf1...I agree with you. Several of those ramps in that area between Damon's and the Best Western are in very poor shape. I know they are very tough on a car let alone a motorcycle. I hope and pray this man comes out of this awful accident.

Flattering picture of Mr. Elmer. Considering what he went through I would think they could have found something more dignified.

a woman had the same thing happen to her last summer in footville. she went off the road and no one saw her and she was hidden by the embankment and shrubs. she died and i still think about her every time i drive to town and pass the area. should the county be at fault for building off ramps that no one can see you if you run off the road ?????

I wonder if the condition of the road had anything to do with it. The Hwy 26 off ramp is in poor condition (If that is where this took place).

Knowing Devin, it is very very painful to hear the tape of that 911 call. Thank god he had 3 mins left on his cell battery to make that call. Great job to Dispatcher Wogaman and the staff at Rock Co 911 in locating him.
I pray his surgery is a success on Wednesday and that his paralysis is only temporary. Hang in there Devin...Your friends are pulling for ya sweetie!!