Then-19-year-old Phillip “PJ” Caruso was out for a drive in his SUV in 2008 when he apparently fainted.
His vehicle veered into the opposite lane and then ran off the road, hitting a pole, passing through a fence and crashing into two trees.
Caruso was rushed to TraumaOne at UF Health Jacksonville, where he was treated for a traumatic brain injury, a broken nose and a deep cut on his head. He battled high fevers and a collapsed lung. It took him weeks before he could open his eyes and more than a month before he could speak again.
Miraculously, he remembered all of his friends and family. He moved from UF Health to Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital to continue his recovery. After three and a half weeks of rehabilitation, Caruso walked out of the hospital on his own.
When he was honored at the 2009 A Night for Heroes gala, he had come a long way in his recovery. Now, he’s come even further.
PJ is back to the active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle he always loved. He hikes nature trails, golfs and works out. He loves attending live concerts. He also earned his associate degree at Florida State College at Jacksonville and is continuing his education there.
“Since my brain injury, school is difficult because of my short-term memory problems, but I’m passing classes each semester!” he said. “I am currently pursuing an environmental science technology degree and would like to work in the clean energy and alternative fuel field or recycling.”
He also works part time at a local golf course, which he considers more “fun” than work.
He is continuing to work with physicians at UF Health to find out if there is a way to improve his memory.
This story is an installment in our “Where are they now?” series of updates on some of our best- known patients from years past. You can read the rest of our updates by clicking on any one of the links below:
ATV crash victim overcame head trauma and became a teacher
Patient goes from fractured skull to swimming pools and roller coasters
Little boy in four-wheeler crash now a 6-foot-4 hunting enthusiast