Back in June, Dakota Briley was involved in a horrific accident on the North Shore of Oahu, when a vehicle swerved off the road on Kamehameha Highway, then pinned him between two cars. The body of the 20-year-old was mangled; he suffered life-threatening injuries, and was put in a medically-induced coma. But luckily, he survived.
Since then, the son of Pipeline royalty, Shawn Briley, has been on the road to recovery – first in Hawaii, then in Denver, Colorado.
And despite the laundry list of damages – including a traumatic brain injury, numerous skull fractures, broken ribs, and a ruptured lung – Dakota is making progress in his recovery. And recently, as family members reported, he’s hit an “incredible milestone.”
From the GoFundMe account to help with Dakota’s medical bills, his father reported:
“This past week was an excellent week for him. Dakota got to go into the pool for an hour and do rehabilitation for the first time! He had been waiting months for this opportunity. I was able to get clearance to go into the pool and assist the therapist as well, so it was s a Big win for Dakota. It was also his first full week eating solid foods. This was a huge victory for Dakota as well!”
A huge victory indeed. Dakota is back in the water – well, the pool, at least. But still, water nonetheless. For a lifelong surfer, that’s a win.
Related: Surf World Rallies for Dakota Briley After Car Accident
Previously, on his road to recovery, Dakota woke from his coma, and spoke. Here’s what he had to say: “I love you all so much,” he said from his hospital bed. “It fills me with joy. Don’t forget, god loves you.”
As for the future of Dakota’s return to health, his family is optimistic. Speaking to Hawaii News Now, Dakota’s sister Erin Lau said:
“He’s such a fighter every day, he works so hard to get stronger and I think honestly for me he inspires me to just keep going to stay positive and his journey is nowhere near over but he has been so optimistic and he knows we can do this.”
Prayers for Dakota; donate to the GoFundMe here.