James Persinger, interim chair of psychology and psychology professor at Emporia State, was struck by a large vehicle while crossing the street in the crosswalk on Dec. 11. He sustained many injuries, however none were internal and he has no broken bones.
“Unfortunately, I’d been left with a concussion with effects I’m told will be up to a year to recover completely from,” Persinger said. “I have whiplash, of course, and taking the initial full force of the impact on my left hip did a pretty good number on me. It’s been a month, and my left thigh is still badly swollen.”
Persinger also reported that his knees and elbows were bruised black for a week and are still bruised. He also suffered from road rash that will likely cause scarring on his hands and elbows.
Persinger was the 2015 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor and had planned to give the commencement speech for the ESU undergraduate graduation in December.
“I think somehow I had enough reflex to protect my head with my hands as I came down,” Persinger said. “My right hand is so swollen still, that four weeks later I can’t close it, and both (hands) were so scraped up they still aren’t healed.”
Officer Billie Schultz was a first responder to the accident.
“I responded to a reported injury accident between a pedestrian and motor vehicle,” Schultz said in the police report. “Upon my arrival, I could see a white male, later identified as James D. Persinger, lying face down…I could see Persinger was bleeding from his head. At this time a Lyon County Deputy had already made contact with Persinger and had an ambulance en route.”
Schultz then spoke to the driver of the vehicle who said he turned left on a green light, and did not see Persinger until he had struck him. The driver speculated that he had been driving about 15 mph and had struck Persinger as he was walking in the crosswalk.
The driver showed no signs of impairment and no impairment test was given, according to the police report.
“The driver of the vehicle was cited for Failure to Yield at a Pedestrian at a Crosswalk,” said Lisa Sage, administrative sergeant at the Emporia Police Department. “The citation was issued through Emporia Municipal Court.”
The failure to yield to a pedestrian is a fine of $105, according to kslegislature.org.
The effects of Persinger’s concussion are extensive and effect his memory.
“My first clear recollection was being in the ambulance and a paramedic was shining a light in my eyes and saying ‘left pupil non-reactive,’” said Persinger. “I remember thinking ‘oh crap, they’re talking about me.’ and then remember saying to the paramedic, ‘I don’t have time for this, I’m supposed to give the commencement address tomorrow.’”
Persinger was the newest Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor and had planned to give the commencement speech for the ESU undergraduate graduation in December.
“I’m often interrupted too frequently in my office to concentrate on complex tasks, so I left campus around 11:20 that day, and was on my way home to polish and practice the address,” said Persinger. “I was waiting at 12th and Commercial as the light was red, pushed
frequently in my office to concentrate on complex tasks, so I left campus around 11:20 that day, and was on my way home to polish and practice the address,” said Persinger. “I was waiting at 12th and Commercial as the light was red, pushed the button and was waiting to cross and head down Commercial toward my house. The light changed, I made it about 10 feet through the crosswalk.”
Based on the report filed, Persinger was thrown approximately 38 feet from the crosswalk after he had been hit.
Keely Persinger, director for the Center for Early Childhood Education and James Persinger’s wife, was working the day her husband was hit.
“Learning of the accident was very surreal,” Keely Persinger said. “Officer Jerrod Schumann with the ESU police had walked in and I didn’t think much of it as he often comes to visit and play with the children. I recall making a snarky comment about which one of us or the kids were in trouble now and then heard, ‘It’s James.’”
Keely Persinger said she immediately began running through all the kids and staff that were named ‘James,’ before she realized what Officer Schumann was talking about.
“Officer Schumann continues with something like, ‘He’s been in an accident. They are taking him by ambulance to the hospital,’” Keely Persinger said.“About then I processed, ‘Oh, James, Jim, my husband’ and dashed with child in tow to the classroom and said, ‘Jim’s been in an accident.’ I flew back by my office and grabbed keys and purse as Officer Schumann asked if he needed to take me. I just ran out the door.”
Initially, James Persinger could remember very little of what had happened.
“On Dec. 20, I made contact with Persinger by telephone,” Officer Schultz said. “I asked Persinger, given some time after the accident, if he could remember anything in regards to the incident. Persinger said he could not remember much, besides telling his secretary he was leaving the office. Persinger said the last thing he remembered was waking up in the street.”
James Persinger said he depended heavily on his wife, as he couldn’t even walk without assistance for the first two weeks after the accident. He was thankful to her as she drove him to his appointments and “waited on me hand and foot.”
“It is hard to explain until you go through such an experience, but you somehow find the strength and just proceed with what is needed,” Keely Persinger said. “I was hyper-focused on Jim’s care and monitoring injuries and new symptoms…It took me well over a week before I really started processing and getting my thoughts together. As far as strength, it has come out of my love for Jim, the Holy Trinity, and the awesome support and prayers of family and friends and colleagues at ESU and in the community.”
James Persinger is struggling with his concussion and head injuries, as it severely limits what he can and cannot do. He says he has difficulty focusing on activities and isn’t allowed to look at any screens. When he does look at screens, he finds himself nauseous and suffering from a headache within minutes.
“The only real treatment seems to be complete rest, but I’m not the kind of person who looks forward to hanging out all day at home, doing nothing,” said James Persinger. “I teach a weekend intensive course, which runs Friday evenings and all day Saturdays. If I were to attempt to teach that now, I’d be a great instructor for about 10 minutes, could fake it for another 10, and then would be rambling and unfocused and would have to dismiss class.”
There is no set date as to when James Persinger can return to work, however he expects to work with accommodations by Feb. 15.
“The Teachers College will work to assure all of my classes and responsibilities are covered until I return,” he said. “I’m usually working well over 40 hours a week between now and mid-March, including teaching my weekend class and visiting a dozen interns in the field, but I’ve had to let all of that go…I’m trying to be okay with letting go of things and focusing on healing, which is really tough to do. I love my job and it’s an exciting time to be working at Emporia.”
