911 Dispatcher Severely Injured

09/04/08

I just got some wonderful news today.  Aaron is expected to be released to go home on September 13th.  He will still be in therapy for 3-5 months before he can return to work.  He is doing much better and progressing daily.  Thanks for passing the word.  The family, at this time, states they are fine as far as expenses go and have requested that we wait to do anything further with donations at this time.  However, the long, hard road ahead is probably the most frustrating so all the cards and letters of encouragement would be the best medicine for Aaron. 

Thanks again for all your help.

Dar Lin Sanchez
Deputy Chief of Communications
Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office
331 S Garden Ave; PO Box 5075
Newport, Wa 99156
(509) 447-3151 Ext #2
(509) 447-2222 fax

09/02/08

Kevin,

I saw Aaron on Friday, August 29th.  He has been moved out of Sacred Heart in Spokane to St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center in Spokane.  Their address is 711 S Cowley, Spokane, WA 99202.  Their phone is (509) 473-6090.  Aaron is in room #232.  His physical, speech and occupational therapy are starting this week.  He is able to get out of bed and walk with help.  He can speak some and can recognize people he knows.  He can tell time but really has no concept of the time he’s been in the hospital or how long it will take him to recover.  He told me that he’d be out and back to work in a couple of days.  He is expected to have another surgery on his arm and hand in appx 6-8 weeks.  His wife Danni has been out of work since the accident and is not sure when she’ll have to return.  Aaron’s mom and step-dad are traveling back and forth from Battleground, Wa; Where step-dad, Brett is a deputy with Battleground, PD.   

Anything that can be done would be a big help.

Thanks
Dar Lin Sanchez
Deputy Chief of Communications
Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office
331 S Garden Ave; PO Box 5075
Newport, WA.  99156
(509) 447-3151 ext #1950
(509) 447-2222 fax

08/20/08

Our agency is currently dealing with a tragedy.  On Sunday, August 17th at appx 3:40 p.m. Pend Oreille County, dispatch shift supervisor, Aaron Gauthier, was driving to work when his vehicle was struck head on, on the driver’s side, by a man who fell asleep behind the wheel of his truck pulling a trailer.  Aaron sustained a head injury, badly broken arm and hand.  He is still in ICU at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane (room #230) He is currently in a drug induced coma, which helps restricts his movement and helps with head injuries.  We will update you and 911 cares with information on Aaron as it becomes available.  Aaron is only 23 yrs old and his wife is 21. 

Thank you.
Dar Lin Sanchez
Deputy Chief of Communications
Pend Oreille County Sheriff/E-911 Communications
(509)447-3151 Ext #1950
(509) 447-2222 Fax