Wearing a chef's jacket, cooking clogs and a helmet, Chan had been on his way to celebrate his 59th birthday -- by helping cook meals for people in need at the H-E-B Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner -- when he got into the life-altering accident:
Chan said that as he passed Lamar Boulevard, a white sedan heading east in the left lane almost swerved into him. Chan, in the far right lane, yelled at the driver — "What is wrong with you?" — and wondered if he might be changing radio stations or talking on the phone.What a terrible thing to happen to a guy who had dedicated so much of his time to helping others -- on his birthday, no less. And in the midst of this great injury, he still thanked those on the scene who came to his aid. He plans to begin wearing a prosthesis in several months. I wish a speedy recovery to you, Mr. Chan.
Then, Chan said, the car pushed his motorcycle into a curb, causing his front wheel to swing out and latch onto the car. He said he tried to free the motorcycle, but was instead dragged — he has no idea how far — down the street.
"It was raw, unadulterated torture," he said.
Still conscious, Chan said a pack of runners from the nearby hike-and-bike trail sprinted over to help him.
The driver, from the Seattle area, also stopped.
He was later given a ticket for making an unsafe movement to the right "based upon third party witness statements (and) corroborating damage observed on both vehicles," a police report said. No other charges are expected.