Indiana soldier who survived Afghan blast set for surgery Indiana soldier who survived Afghan blast set for surgery

HAMMOND, Ind. — The mother of the only survivor of a roadside bombing in Afghanistan that killed four members of an Indiana National Guard unit says her son remains in a drug-induced coma as doctors prepare him for the first of numerous surgeries.

The Times of Munster reports that 29-year-old Pvt. Doug Rachowicz (ROCK’-uh-Witz) of Hammond is being treated at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. His mother, Kathy Rachowicz, says doctors are expected to begin repairing his broken nose cavity and pelvis Wednesday in his first of many surgeries.

Doug Rachowicz was driving a military van last Thursday in southern Afghanistan when it struck a roadside bomb, killing four other members of the Valparaiso-based 713th Engineer Company. Rachowicz suffered broken bones, bruised lungs and extensive facial damage.