July 8, 1999

A young man from Layton is still recovering from critical injuries he suffered in May, when an alleged drunk driver hit the bicycle he was riding.

Now the young man is finally well enough to talk about what happened, and how his life has changed as a result.

Pamela Davis has the story.

The story of what happened to this young man is sad...but some might say it becomes even sadder when you consider the record of the man accused of hitting him.

Brian Carlson/Injured Bicyclist: I'M NOT ANGRY. I'M HAPPY TO BE ALIVE.

Brian Carlson almost died when a driver slammed into the group of bicycles he and some friends were riding.

Carlson: I BROKE MY LEFT CLAVICLE AND SCAPULA. AND I BROKE MY BACK.

Carlson has always been an avid bike racer and very athletic.

Imagine the shock when he woke up in the hospital -- and his girlfriend Cathy told him the doctors had had to amputate his left leg.

Carlson: SHE EXPLAINED THAT MY LEG WAS TAKEN TO SAVE MY LIFE.

She also explained that the man who hit Carlson and his friends was charged with drunk driving.

Court records show Steven Hudgens has a history of DUI convictions.

Carlson: I'M VERY UNHAPPY THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I'M UPSET THAT WE ALLOWED HIM TO BE ON THE ROAD.

Hudgens is set to go to court on the DUI charges later this month. Brian Carlson hopes he'll be well enough to attend.

Carlson: I WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF HE REALIZES WHAT HE'S DONE.

LOOKING AT HIS RECORD, I DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT THIS TRIAL IS GOING TO CHANGE HIM, AND THAT'S WHAT UPSETS ME MOST OF ALL.

No matter what happens in court, Brian Carlson knows his life will never be exactly as it was.

Still, he's already begun to meet life's new challenges -- with Cathy's help.

Carlson: I WAS PLANNING TO ASK HER TO MARRY ME WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED.

They became engaged while he was in intensive care. Last week, they were married in a small ceremony at the hospital.

Carlson says the outpouring of support from his friend, family, and the community has been overwhelming.

The preliminary hearing for Steven Hudgens is set for July 28th.