By Jolene FarleyThe road to recovery continues for two Rock County residents involved in a two-vehicle accident northwest of Hills on Thursday, July 31. Chris Louwagie, a passenger in a 1994 Chevrolet pickup driven by Ryan Burger, Luverne, was airlifted with extensive injuries including three fractured vertebrae, punctured lungs, multiple broken ribs and a head injury.He remains in the hospital, but was moved to the Rehabilitation Unit at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D., according to his wife, Laura. "They are working with his back and broken ribs," she said. He is walking with some assistance and has full use of all his arms and legs. He has been off the respirator for some time and his punctured lungs have healed, according to Laura."He just improves so much everyday," Laura said. After release from the hospital in a few weeks, he will continue recovering at home for a few months and work on rehabilitation. "Everyone is so different, they can’t say how long," she said. Because of his head injury, Chris did have some memory loss, but doctors expect he will fully recover. "We appreciated all the support and help from the community, family and friends," Laura said. "We wouldn’t have been able to get through this without everybody."The Louwagies are thankful that Chris will recover and won’t have lasting effects from the accident. "It’s definitely a miracle," Laura said.Sherryl Knobloch, 55, of rural Hills, was driving a 1998 Buick Park Avenue. Her injuries included a stabilized fracture in her neck, a punctured lung, and broken ribs. She was airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital.Knobloch doesn’t remember the accident, being airlifted or her time in the hospital. She remembers nothing until about mid-week after the accident. "I don’t remember a thing," she said. Knobloch, released from the hospital last week, is still on "a lot of pain medications" and will see three doctors Monday for further evaluation. "I’m whole," she said. "Everything seems to be going OK right now."She wears a brace on her neck and is "still struggling with the broken ribs." Knobloch, employed as a credit manager at Sheehan Equipment, Sioux Falls, S.D., returned to work for the afternoon Monday and brought home items to work on while recovering. Ryan Burgers was transported by ground ambulance to Avera McKennan Hospital from the scene of the accident. The Crescent was unable to reach Burgers for an update on his condition.
