ST AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Ninety stitches zig zag down 63-year-old Leslie Newton's head. And amazingly that is his only injury after the retired EMT crashed into a median. His Camaro took down a street sign that became embedded in his head.
"Someone cut me off on State Road 16 right into the median. It all happened very, very quickly. And I don't really remember much after that," said Newton.
That crash didn't slow him down. Florida Troopers pulled him over almost two miles away, and they say the sign was still in his head. "I was told by some of the people there that I actually pulled the sign out of my head myself," said Newton.
Fortunately the sign stopped at his skull, sparing his brain. But Newton says he did suffer two cardiac arrests as he was being transported to UF and Shands Jacksonville. "I've done CPR for over 40 years in the field. And I never realized the impact it has on the body days after it's done. So I guess I got paid back a little bit," said Newton.
Doctor's will remove Newton's stitches in two weeks, but they do expect him to make a full recovery. "I am very happy to be alive," he said.
The Florida Highway Patrol's crash report says alcohol was a factor, but so far no charges have been filed. The investigation is on going.
