9/11/99

New Dallas Track, Nearly Unraceable, Sees Carr Family Friend Toby Jorgensen Seriously Injured.

Chris wishes only to offer his prayers and strength for young Toby Jorgensen and his family after Toby was seriously injured at the Dallas event. Chris spent Saturday night at the hospital in Dallas with Toby, praying and hoping that Toby can have the strength to fight what turned out to be a very serious combination of internal injuries and fractures incurred when Jorgensen made contact with the barriers on the exit of turn two of the untested and controversial new facility.

For those of you that read this, Chris asks that you please say a prayer for the young racer as he struggles to survive. We will do our best to keep providing updates on his condition.

Statement from the Jorgensen Family

Issued by Chris Carr 1:00a.m. EST 9/13/99

On behalf of the family of Toby Jorgensen we would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to all of you who have shown your concern. All of your thoughts and prayers have been very helpful during his time of need. Furthermore, Toby's doctor has told us, "Whatever his family and friends have been doing, 'keep doing it because it is working.'" Toby's injuries are very extensive. He has internal injuries that include damage to his liver, both lungs, kidney, and colon. Toby has multiple bone fractures including a crushed pelvis, numerous ribs, upper and lower left arm, and left leg. Up to this point Toby has undergone three operations. His first procedure was to inflate one of his lungs to help restore his breathing upon arrival here at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX. His second procedure was exploratory to assess his internal injuries and to address any organ issues. This procedure, however, had to be cut short due to a sudden drop in Toby's blood pressure. Toby was in shock due to the loss of major amounts of blood. This procedure was very hard on Toby's system and after four hours in ICU his team of surgeons had informed the family that his status was declining. They felt it was time to go back in for a very risky procedure that may very well end his life. The doctors had prepared the family for the worst and proceeded to operate at 12:15p.m. on Sunday. All of your thoughts and prayers up to this point have worked. In the words of the doctors, "Every minute Toby lives beyond this point is a miracle minute." As of this writing Toby is in a medically induced coma and has performed thirty-five hours of miracles. However the toughest test of all our prayers lie ahead of us. Toby is scheduled for his fourth operation on Tuesday morning at 8:00a.m. This procedure is an attempt to clean out all of the dirt and debris collected in his system as a result of his crash. If successful, the doctors see a minimum of six more operations in Toby's future.

In addition to all of your thoughts and prayers there are ways to help Toby and his family. Cards and letters can be sent to Toby Jorgensen at:

Toby Jorgensen
E. 5031 Palmer Ave.
Stockton, CA 95215

Donations to a trust in Toby's name can be sent to:

Mokulmne Federal Credit Union
C/o Toby Jorgensen
P.O. Box 1717
Lodi, CA 95241

Additionally, blood can be donated at your local blood bank in on behalf of Toby Jorgensen a.k.a.:

A. Lambea Parkland Memorial Hospital
Dallas, TX

Again, on behalf of Toby and Toby's entire family we extend our sincerest expressions of gratitude for your support during this trying time.

Chris Carr on Behalf of the Jorgensen Family

Chris heads to the Central California area where he grew up for the Sacramento Mile next weekend.

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