ERDA, Utah — The Utah Highway Patrol trooper who fell from an overpass while deploying spike strips during a pursuit has finally returned to his Erda home after the incident that hospitalized him for months.
Now in a wheelchair and continuing to recover, Trooper Steve "Odie" Myer was asked Thursday if he believes it was a miracle that he is still here,
Myer spoke below with FOX 13 News after being moved to a rehab facility last month:
"One hundred percent miracle," he said. "Several miracles have happened, most people wouldn't survive a fall that far to begin with."
A look at the overpass at 7200 West near Interstate 80 shows Myer fell about 33 feet to the ground on February 13.
A UHP motor officer with 38 years of law enforcement experience, Myer went to deploy spike strips to stop an SUV that had been fleeing from police. As the SUV swerved around spike strips in the northbound lane, Myer says he moved to avoid getting hit.
"That's pretty much the last thing I remember," he said back home. "Even though I thought I was off of the structure, I wasn't quite. I was right on the edge of it and that step back tripped me and I just went over backwards."
Myer was flown to an area hospital.
"The DPS guys, between the helicopter pilot and our assistant in the back were able to make a, they just made a decision to load me and go and that's what saved my life really," said Trooper Myer.
He would sustain a slew of injuries in the fall.
"I have 15 fractures in my pelvis," said Trooper Myer.
Including an injury to his heart.
"It slid basically outside of the, the sack and the under my armpit," Trooper Myer described.
After spending 45 days in the hospital and at a rehab facility, he was able to return home.
Through it all, he has had support from both near and far.
That includes a group of women from Oregon who made him a blanket, his family and fellow UHP troopers.
"Steve is supposed to be here for a reason, we're just grateful for that, we really look forward to his progress," said Capt. Wade Breuer.
Since returning home, Trooper Myer says a ramp has been installed in his garage to help him get around in his wheelchair.
"Family is number one and I can't say any enough about my wife, my son was there every day, checking on me, so what a miracle," said Trooper Myer.
In all, he told FOX 13 News that he has had three surgeries to repair the damage he sustained from the fall.
He says there is a good probability that he will be able to walk again.
Trooper Myer says his goal is to eventually return to work.
Myer says the injuries from his fall included 15 fractures to his pelvis and that his heart shockingly shifted into his armpit from the impact. In all, he told FOX 13 News that he has had three surgeries to repair the damage he sustained from the fall.
Despite the injuries and hospitalization, Trooper Myer remains in good spirits and was surrounded by both family and fellow UHP troopers at his home Thursday morning, adding that the support he's received, from both near and far, has been "unbelievable."
