Last Updated 5/11/2004
4/28/04- Sheboygan, WI; West Virginia NOHVCC State Representative Mike Pinkerton was severely injured this past Saturday night while walking back to his hotel near Fairfax, Virginia where he was attending an outdoor recreation conference. Despite losing his left arm in the accident, Pinkerton returned home on Tuesday to Barboursville to complete his recovery. "I feel extremely fortunate to be here," the 32-year old said Sunday from his hospital bed in Fairfax. He also added that he was thankful that he doesn't have the terrible memory of being struck. What's left of Pinkerton's left arm is bandaged, and he suffered minor fractures to the skull and slight bruising of the brain. He also has 10 to 15 stitches above his right eye, he said.
"I'm so thankful for his attitude," said his wife Amy. "He's so strong." Others remarked that Mike has been in good spirits and is cracking jokes. His co-workers at the Hatfield/McCoy Trail system, where Pinkerton serves as Marketing Director, speculate that Mike will be off work for about a month.
Police are still investigating the accident, the Pinkertons said. Fairfax County Police said an older model Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera hit him. Amy Pinkerton says she's praying the driver will come forward. "We're not angry." She said. "It's just the fact that they didn't stop and they left him there to die, basically." Pinkerton's arm had been thrown 120 feet, he said. He said he apparently had called for help, and finally someone heard him.
Well-wishers can contact Mike at home;
526 Big Bend Rd.
Barboursville, WV 25504
Telephone: (304) 733-9105