One year later: Injured cyclist shares status of recovery

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - In a split-second a Tyler woman's life changed when she was hit on her bicycle by a distracted driver.

Now, one year later Kristin Blaise is riding again, but still has the pain and scars reminding her of late August 2014 along Old Jacksonville Highway.
 
"I want people to know that you can come back from accidents such as this," Blaise said.
 
She spent weeks in the hospital, and over a month in rehab. Even with a recent surgery that removed pins in her back, but some hardware will stay for quite a while.

"I have four screws, two on each side of my pelvis, they're almost five inches long that repaired my fractured in three places," She said.

Blaise credits staying active to keeping her going. KLTV was there when she took her first ride just six months after the wreck. Since then she has competed in three triathlons and one special ride with members of the Tyler Bicycle Club on her one year anniversary.
 
"It meant a lot you know to be out riding again with all the same people that encouraged me and supported me though everything," Blaise said.
 
However, the awareness her accident raised for safe driving has left her wanting more; "I'm pleased with any progress because no progress is going backwards, but i wish that it was more and i wish i had helped get more."
 
The City of Tyler has publicly denounced using mobile devices and driving; however the only areas where fines can be enforced are school zones.
 
Blaise said she'll continue reaching out to policymakers about passing distracted driver" ordinances.

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