Crash survivor returns to the scene of his recovery start at Mission Viejo hospital
Jackson Gutierrez thanks his care team at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Gutierrez was treated at the hospital in December, 2021 after he was involved in a crash on Newport Coast Drive that left him with severe burns and the loss of his legs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A former patient got the chance Thursday, Jan. 11, to thank the doctors and staff at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo who likely saved his life.
Jackson Gutierrez was visiting Orange County with a friend in 2021 when he was a passenger in a car crash on Newport Coast Drive near Sage Hill School. He was pinned when the car slammed into a tree and rescued as it caught fire and became engulfed in flames.
The crash left Gutierrez with both legs amputated above the knee, second and third degree burns, a traumatic brain injury and broken bones.
“It’s important for me to come back and say thank you,” Gutierrez said after talking with some of his care team from two years earlier.
Jackson Gutierrez thanks his care team at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Gutierrez was treated at the hospital in December, 2021 after he was involved in a crash on Newport Coast Drive that left him with severe burns and the loss of his legs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jackson Gutierrez is greeted by Chief Executive Seth Teigen at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Gutierrez was treated at the hospital in December, 2021 after he was involved in a crash on Newport Coast Drive that left him with severe burns and t he loss of his legs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jackson Gutierrez takes a photo with his care team at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Gutierrez was treated at the hospital in December, 2021 after he was involved in a crash on Newport Coast Drive that left him with severe burns and the loss of his legs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jackson Gutierrez talks with his care team at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Gutierrez was treated at the hospital in December, 2021 after he was involved in a crash on Newport Coast Drive that left him with severe burns and the loss of his legs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jackson Gutierrez thanks his care team at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Gutierrez was treated at the hospital in December, 2021 after he was involved in a crash on Newport Coast Drive that left him with severe burns and the loss of his legs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Staff members asked about his recovery and praised his strength following the accident.
“This is the best part of our job”, said Physician Assistant Ashley Mergelmeyer. “It’s very gratifying to have patients come back.”
Gutierrez is pursuing his undergraduate degree in psychology at Texas A&M and is considering graduate school.
“There’s so many times I’ve fallen down, both figuratively and literally, and had the option to stay down or get up and fight another day,” he said. “I’ve been knocked down and could have stayed down. But I chose not to.”
This story has been updated to correct information about the crash.
