NEW SALEM — Following a single-car crash July 23, John Ryan, 65, of New Salem is recovering from a concussion and a broken sternum.
He said that because of his concussion, he doesn’t remember the accident, though his doctors believe he will regain his memory in two weeks.
“I went from (remembering) 100 percent before to 95 percent afterwards,” Ryan said. “Fortunately, no one else was involved.”
The crash occurred shortly before 11 a.m. on Route 202. According to Sgt. Steven Jankowski of the State Police Athol barracks, Ryan was texting while driving his 2008 Ford F-150, leading him to veer off the road.
“He went off the road and flipped it over a couple of times,” Jankowski said. “He probably realized what was happening, tried to correct it and overcorrected the vehicle.”
State police and Orange EMS responded. Orange EMS requested LifeFlight, and Ryan was airlifted to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, where he stayed overnight.
The vehicle, Ryan said, was totaled. Ryan was also issued a citation for texting while driving, according to Jankowski.
Ryan has been chairman of the Building Committee tasked with overseeing renovation of Swift River School in New Salem, chairman of the Building Committee for the Old Academy building in New Salem, and the town planner in Greenfield. Ryan also operates Breezeway Farm Consulting Inc. where he writes community block grant applications for towns across Franklin County.