At the start of the new semester, Saint Louis University sophomore Brigette Schutzman remained in Indianapolis at Central Methodist Hospital after a car crash on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve.
Schutzman and boyfriend Mathew Stuber, both members of the track team at SLU, were on their way to dinner at a friend’s house when an ice storm began. According to Brigette’s mother Teresa, the rear end of the car, which Brigette was driving, slid on a patch of ice while traveling at approximately 35 mph. The car was T-boned by another driver.
“It was a freakish direct hit,” Teresa Schutzman said.
She also maintains that the incident was non-alcohol and non-drug related, on both sides.
Stuber, in the passenger seat, walked away from the crash virtually unharmed. At the scene Brigette appeared badly hurt, but not in life-threatening danger.
Once medics got Brigette to the hospital, they “realized she was in a lot of trouble,” said Jon Bell, SLU Track and Cross Country Coach.
Teresa Schutzman said doctors only gave Brigette a 1 percent chance at survival due to the extent of brain damage she endured on impact.
“She had multiple strokes,” Bell said.
Teresa said she believes the power of prayer helped Brigette survive.
“It’s never good to be in a car wreck, but she’s had great medical care from step one,” Bell said.
Currently, Brigette is out of the coma and recently off a ventilator, Teresa Schutzman said. Although she cannot speak yet due to a recent tracheotomy, Brigette has been able to use sign language to convey her thoughts.
“She only moves her right hand and arm, but she feels everything else,” Teresa Schutzman said.
As Brigette’s brain swelling continues to decrease, doctors hope to be able to predict her future condition within eight to 10 weeks, Teresa Schutzman said.
Bell said that right now, the future of Brigette’s running career is “not a concern.”
“With the power of prayer, we see her making little gains everyday,” Teresa Schutzman said. “I told her ‘you and I are starting a marathon’ and she squeezed my hand. She’s determined.”
Both Bell and Teresa Schutzman said that they hope Brigette will be back at SLU for classes next fall.
Chase Fisher • Nov 11, 2019 at 2:08 pm
Sitting at a Starbucks waiting on my tire that was blown due to a pothole I see a nice lady enjoying her lunch and ask if I can sit at the couch next to her and enjoy my coffee. Its November 11th, 2019 and it is snowing hard outside. I don’t say anything else but she strikes up a conversation with me telling me of her life, who she is, her struggles and her accomplishments as an individual. I too have not had life handed to me but I fight every day to make the next day better, but her perseverance was an inspiration to me. She is still in great spirits and is still training and recovering from the terrible wreck that nearly took her life.
I would have to say that this is a perfect example that even in complete darkness, even with little to no hope or light, through hard work and faith you can heal a tiny spark to burn bright like a flame again.
Sincerely from a guy staying warm from the blizzard outside,
~Steven “Chase” Fisher
Sandra • Sep 8, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Met you in Starbucks, promised I wouod look you up!
I rather feel doubting Thomas, for if I had read about the accident there didn’t seem to be much hope of recovery!
You are strong, I am glad I met you, you have been touched by God and are reaching out to others!
hod Bless you as you continure your up hill journey back to full health.
Best Wishes Sandra.