Audrey Gomez
Community members are offering prayers and raising support for two Sweet Home men who were injured in a crash on Highway 20 near Bauman’s Mill on Jan. 21.
Robert Gene Mayfield, 54, and Neil Nightingale, 39, are in critical condition.
This accident has and is impacting our family in ways we couldn’t have imagined,” said Julie Mayfield, Gene Mayfield’s wife. “We are holding fast to the faith we have in Jesus Christ, and we know God has a plan through all this, even when we don’t understand. Our lives changed in an instant, as did Neil’s and his family’s.
Our prayers are continually for both men and families.”
Just before 7 a.m., Robert Mayfield was driving a Papé machinery repair truck westbound on Highway 20 when his vehicle crossed from its lane of travel to the center turn lane. Mayfield’s truck continued into the eastbound lane where it collided head-on into a 2011 Kenworth log truck, operated by Nightingale.
A 2003 Subaru Legacy, operated by David Briggs, 59, of Lebanon, was also eastbound and collided with the log truck after the initial crash occurred. Briggs did not sustain any injuries, according to police.
Oregon State Police troopers from the Albany Area Command are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. It is unknown why Mayfield’s truck crossed into the on-coming lane. Seat belt usage is still being determined.
Mayfield was transported by Life Flight Emergency Air Ambulance to Salem Hospital and was later transferred to OHSU in Portland. Nightingale was transported by REACH Air Ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.
Julie Mayfield said she was getting ready for work when when she got a text about a Papé work truck involved in an accident. She works at the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District.
My coworkers showed up at my door shortly thereafter,” Mayfield said. “I was relieved to know that the brave men and women I work alongside daily had cared for him on the scene.”
She is sleeping near the hospital.
The Nightingale family is also spending most of their time at the hospital, said Alyssa Orr, Nightingale’s stepdaughter.
Tami (Nightingale’s wife) has been sleeping, sadly no more than three hours a night, at the hospital stay house that they have just down the road,” Orr said . “We have practically moved into the waiting room. We fill up the room and the hallways. (There is) so much love and support at all times in the waiting room.”
Both men have several surgeries scheduled.
Orr said Nightingale had surgery on Jan. 23 so doctors could “look at his stomach, clean up and check things out because of the continuous bleeding.”
According to updates on Nightingale’s GoFundMe page, which is maintained by family friend Katie Black, Nightingale had a positive brain test on Jan. 24.
His body is allowing everything that they are using to help him work which they call being ‘stable,’” according to the post. “Neil is still unconscious and on a ventilator but his heart is strong. As Neil continues to remain stable they will begin moving towards the next phases to repair his injuries and do more testing.”
As of Monday, Jan. 25, Nightingale was not conscious.
Mayfield is conscious and also has had surgery.
We have more surgeries to go and many months – if not years – of therapy ahead, the doctors have told us,” Julie Mayfield said.
He has undergone shoulder surgery, and now has a large plate in place there, according to an update on his GoFundMe page, which was set up by Julie Mayfield’s coworker, Zach Lincoln.
Overall, this surgery went well,” according to the update. “Next up is a surgery on his face that will be quite extensive and long. After that, he will still have one for his leg and one for his hand. Our week ahead is packed with surgeries, ‘rest days,’ and more surgeries.”
Both families are trying to stay positive throughout the experience.
We are taking it hour by hour, day by day – a long hard road ahead,” Mayfield said.
Orr said they are trying to stay strong for Nightingale’s 6-year-old son Ryder.
They are “trying to find some calm and stay brave through this storm,” she said. “We are trying to stay as positive as we can. We won’t let the negative thoughts come through.”
Several people who have contributed to the men’s GoFundMe accounts have expressed that although they do not know them, they are praying for them.
(That) means the world to us,” Orr said.
Mayfield also is appreciative of all the support they have received.
A GoFundMe page for both Gene and Neil have been set up,” Mayfield said. “If God puts it on your heart to give, we would accept any amount you can donate, but if you can’t, that’s OK too; prayers are powerful and even more so than money. Keep those coming! I want everyone to know that we are humbled by the overwhelming outpouring of support, love and prayers.”
HELP FOR VICTIMS
Two community fundraisers are scheduled for this week, both organized to benefit the Nightingale and Mayfield families.
All
Star Pizza: Thursday, Jan. 28, All Star Pizza will donate 100 percent of all
sales to the Nightingale and Mayfield families. The fundraiser will
go on for the entire day and volunteers will be needed to help the
staff. All Star Pizza is located at 1203 Long St.
To volunteer, contact All Star Pizza
(541)367-4040.
Little
Promises Spaghetti Feed: Saturday, Jan. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be a
spaghetti feed, salad, and bread. There will be a silent auction from
4 to 6:30 p.m. Little Promises is located at 28028 Pleasant Valley
Rd.
To
donate auction items, contact Nelia Taraski at 936-522-6797 or Cassie
Richey at 541-405-0163.