The driver T-boned in a Victoria intersection, sending his truck flying into a BC Transit bus, is recovering and in good spirits, according to family members.
David Bruun, 34, was driving through a green light at the Bay and Douglas intersection Wednesday night when a car speeding southbound on Douglas ran a red light, smashing into Bruun’s truck.
The force of the crash sent Bruun’s truck flying into a bus, completely smashing it.
READ MORE: Three-vehicle crash involving BC Transit bus sends two to hospital
“Suddenly, at 12:30 a.m., the doorbell rang, and I stumbled out to see what was going on, and there was David’s roommate banging on the door to let me know David was in a bad accident,” said Karsten Bruun, David’s father.
The driver and passenger of the car had minor injuries, while Bruun received serious and possibly life-threatening injuries.
Karsten said Bruun was suffering serious spinal injuries and a bad concussion.
“We could see there were internal organ damage, and we could also see there was no obvious break to the spinal cord. He had a broken spine, several places were broken, but the break had not damaged the spinal cord itself,” he explained.
Bruun was unable to speak to CHEK News in person Monday but said in messages that he was feeling good and was already able to walk.
Karsten added Bruun is in unbelievable spirits.
“In a situation like this, you could feel vengeance toward the person who caused this to happen to you, and he has shown no vengeance, no personal vendetta at all,” Karsten said. “He has been focusing on getting back to his life.”
Bruun is passionate about jiu-jitsu and is an instructor at Van Isle Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Esquimalt.
His dad said that while Bruun wants to get back on the mat, he knows he will have to wait until he is recovered.
Victoria Police was unable to give any updates on the investigation Monday.
Police said in a statement that “these types of serious collision investigations are complex and take time to complete.”
Karsten says he’s just happy his son survived.
Mackenzie Read
