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PAROWAN — Two weeks ago, Utah Highway Patrol Trooper David Schiers was hit and pinned by a car hydroplaning out of control. The dramatic dash-cam video made national headlines.
But after spending only two weeks at Intermountain Medical Center, the trooper headed home to Parowan Monday, and a warm community welcome.
"I'm sore everywhere," said David Schiers, after leaving the hospital. "But, with the amount of damage I saw on my own film, I think I'm lucky to be alive."
The trooper was helping a motorist who had crashed in a rain storm in the center median of I-15 near Cedar City. While he was waiting for help for those motorists, another car lost control on the wet surface and slammed into the disabled car and the trooper.
He only remembers bits and pieces of the crash.
"I just remember the car coming, and then it's more or less a blur," David Scheirs said.
"It looks bad," he said while watching the video, "but I've seen bad before. It's hard for me to put myself on the other side of that camera."
"It's a hard video to watch," his son, Dexter Schiers, said. "But, it's amazing he's able to go home today after two weeks."
Dexter Schiers is a paramedic. He knows many crash victims lose their lives in collisions less severe.
"I was in awe. I was in shock," the younger Schiers said. "Even to this day it keeps going over and over in my head. (I'm) thinking, he really shouldn't be here."
But David Schiers survived with a broken back, broken leg, several broken ribs and a punctured lung.
In his hometown of Parowan, the trooper is also the fire chief, plenty of people turned out Monday evening to welcome him home.
"We are like his extended family," said UHP Sgt. Ryan Bauer, who was there to welcome Schiers home. "If you wear the uniform, we're going to be there for you."
The trooper is thankful for the outpouring of love he's received from friends and strangers in Utah, and beyond.
"I just appreciate it because I do believe this is a small miracle," David Scheirs said.
He is the seventh UHP trooper hit at the side of the road so far this year. That's after 14 last year, and 23 close call collisions in 2013.
The trooper said he has several months of physical therapy ahead of him, but he will make a full recovery. And he believes one piece of advice might have prevented his pain.
"Slow down and move over, especially if it's raining, or snowing, or whatever," David Schiers said. "Wear your seat belts and be aware of what's around you."
