Olympian Denny Morrison is on the mend and will not face any criminal charges in connection to a crash that left him with a broken femur earlier this month.
Speed Skating Canada released a statement on Monday saying that the four-time Olympic medalist is recovering quickly from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on May 7 near Charleswood Drive and Crowchild Trail.
The 29-year-old broke his femur and suffered a concussion and bruises to his lung, liver and kidney, among other injuries, when he was thrown from the motorcycle he was riding after it collided with a vehicle.
Morrison was discharged from Foothills Hospital on May 15th and officials say he is able to get around on crutches, is working on walking and has started some light pedalling on a stationary bike.
"I’m sure my quick recovery is a result in part of the amazing support I have received from my family, friends and speed skating teammates. It has been totally overwhelming,” said Morrison in a statement. “And the expert care from the Foothills Hospital and Speed Skating Canada’s medical team has been so good! I can’t believe how quickly things have progressed so far. I know I am one lucky dude. It could have been much, much worse.”
“Speed Skating Canada is pleased to see Denny be cleared of any of the speculated criminal charges surrounding the accident. But we are even more pleased to see his recovery is coming along so quickly”, said Speed Skating Canada’s High Performance Director, Brian Rahill. “He will now be able to fully focus on his recovery and, in the Olympic cycle objective, to aim to repeat his performances from Sochi at the upcoming 2018 Olympic Games. I would also like to thank our medical team, led by our team doctor Victor Lun, as well as the surgeon and staff at the Calgary’s Foothills hospital, who took such good care of Denny and have been instrumental in his speedy recovery.”
The driver of the vehicle was not injured in the crash and speed skating officials say neither driver involved will face any criminal charges.
Officials say Morrison met with police last week and say the investigation and several witness reports revealed that Morrision was travelling at a normal speed at the time of the crash.
“I’m just happy the investigation concluded that I was not speeding or driving recklessly”, said Morrison. “I have been riding motorcycles for 20 years and take road safety seriously. I think I just got caught in the shadow of the car travelling next to me and the other driver didn’t see me when she pulled out into the intersection. I had nowhere to go.”
Morrison was given a $155 traffic ticket for entering an intersection during a yellow light.
