Elk Grove mayor back at work after accident

Sporting a sling on his right arm and a scrape on his left cheekbone, Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson tearfully thanked the community Tuesday night for the outpouring of support he has received since injuring himself in a bicycle accident two weeks ago.

"I received many letters, people came by the house, e-mails to family members and staff," Johnson said. "The outpouring ... it's really been impressive, and I thank all of you that have done that. It really has taken me aback."

Johnson, who trains every year for the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove, explained that he was riding with about 15 bicyclists on Cosman Road near Lake Cosman in the village on June 29 when his front tire clipped the back tire of the rider ahead of him.

"I was catapulted over the front of my handle bar at 32 miles per hour," he said.

Johnson was thrown to the ground, striking his head on the pavement. He suffered a concussion, a punctured lung, a broken collar bone, five broken ribs, a muscle tear in his hip joint and numerous scabs and cuts, he said.

Johnson was knocked unconscious for several minutes after the crash and was not breathing for a short time. It was a fellow rider, "Dr. J," who rushed to Johnson's aide and immediately cleared his airway so he could breathe.

Though Johnson regained consciousness shortly after the crash, he said he doesn't remember anything that happened afterward until he woke up at 4 a.m. at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital's Level I Trauma Center in Park Ridge.

Johnson stressed once again how his helmet saved his life. He also thanked all the people who tended to him immediately after the accident and commended the fire department for speedily taking him to the hospital.

"They truly saved my life, and I'm very grateful for that," Johnson said, choking with emotion. "I greatly appreciate it. That's a life-altering experience."

Johnson was laid up for several days after the crash, forcing him to miss the village's Fourth of July celebrations. But he returned to work this week.

"I've never missed a board meeting in 17 years," Johnson said after Tuesday night's village board meeting. "I've come with pneumonia. I've come with broken bones."

At the beginning of the meeting, Johnson apologized to the audience and those watching the meeting on cable television at home for not dressing in a suit and tie like he always does for board meetings. He was embarrassed to be in a polo shirt instead.

Johnson said he will find out in the first week of August whether he needs to undergo surgery for his broken collar bone and shoulder injury.

The 50-year-old mayor, who has participated in the Tour of Elk Grove all previous four years, said though he won't be riding in this year's three-day event - July 30, 31 and Aug. 1 - he will be cheering bicyclists on from the sidelines.

"Yes, it's bothering me to miss (it)," Johnson said. "This (threw) me for a little bit of a loop. I'll be fine. I'll be at the bike race, no question."

This year's mayor's challenge Charity Time Trial Fundraising Ride will be led by Johnson's brother-in-law Billy Beaupre and several village officials.

Johnson said he hopes to be riding his bicycle again soon.

"If I don't need surgery, I'll start riding this fall," he said.