Family of Conrad Murphy reports 19-year-old crash victim remains in coma, but stable

In a telephone interview May 3, Clark Murphy, the brother of 19-year-old Conrad Murphy of Fallbrook who sustained life-threatening injuries in a head-on collision on State Route 76 the morning of April 23, said although his sibling remains in a coma at Palomar Hospital, he is now considered to be in stable condition.

"He's been showing great signs," said Clark. "He's healthy and strong; he has his age going for him."

Clark, a Fallbrook High graduate recruited to Major League Baseball by the Texas Rangers, said he flew home immediately after receiving the news about his brother's accident, and has been here since.

"As soon as I heard, I was on the first plane home," he said.

Clark said as a result of the collision, his brother suffered a broken neck and pelvis, a punctured lung, and severe brain trauma.

"Doctors have said the brain is able to heal itself over time; it may be a long process, but it is possible," he explained.

On the day of the crash, Conrad Murphy had left his family's Fallbrook home to drive to baseball practice at Valley Center High School (where he is a senior and varsity player). He traveled southbound on Gird Road, and turned east on State Route 76 about 7:15 that morning, his brother said. Shortly after that, a Corky's Pest Control truck driven westbound by 33-year-old David Misa of Oceanside traveled over into Murphy's lane and struck his vehicle head-on.

"[The collision] happened when Conrad was 200 to 300 yards down 76," explained Clark. "[The family] was told the guy supposedly lost control with his back tires and came into Conrad's lane and hit him."

"It took 40 minutes for the fire department to cut [Conrad] out of the truck," he added. "That's all we really know that is conclusive. We are still waiting on the [CHP] report." Misa sustained only minor injuries, and was treated and released. Because the pest control truck had dry and liquid chemicals on board that spilled during the collision, the roadway was closed for seven hours for a hazardous materials cleanup.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) public information officer Chris Parent said his agency is in the process of concluding an inspection on the pest control truck as well as the entire investigation into the incident and will render a determination on the cause in the next few days. The CHP impounded the pest control truck at the scene.

"It takes roughly two weeks for the inspection and investigation to be wrapped up," said Parent.

Clark Murphy said one news agency had claimed Misa has a past that includes burglary and drug charges.

"I don't know this to be true," said Parent. "We are only concerned with the current incident and whether he is being truthful about what happened with this collision or not. He is claiming there was a problem with the truck." Murphy said he is skeptical of that claim.

"It's hard to believe considering the skid marks that were left behind," said Murphy.

Clark Murphy said his family is focused on staying positive about his brother's recovery. He also said his brother has multiple talents.

"In addition to playing baseball, he is an excellent piano and guitar player," said Murphy. "His biggest talent is probably his musical ability. He is the type that can listen to a song once and play it. He also loves to fish and enjoy the outdoors."

When asked if Fallbrookians could do anything to be helpful, Murphy was quick to make a suggestion.

"I think the best thing people can do is keep him in their thoughts and prayers and continue to pray for him to heal," said Murphy. "He definitely needs prayers."

(Previous story, Monday, April 25, 2011)

Truck driver says rear wheels lost traction, led to accident; 19-year-old athlete remains in critical condition

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has reported that it will perform an inspection on the Corky's Pest Control truck driven by David Misa, 33, of Oceanside that collided head-on April 23 on State Route 76 into a truck being driven by 19-year-old Fallbrook resident Conrad Murphy, a standout varsity baseball player for Valley Center. Misa claims that the rear wheels lost traction on the road which led to the crash. Murphy sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the collision and remains in critical condition in the hospital. Misa sustained only minor injuries and was treated and released.

"We have impounded the pest control truck and will be conducting an inspection to determine if [Misa] was telling the truth about that," said CHP public information officer Chris Parent.

"Misa claims as he came around a corner, the rear wheels of the vehicle lost traction and forced him into the eastbound lane [of State Route 76]," said Parent.

The incident took place on the state highway just east of Gird Road.

Because the pest control truck was carrying both dry and liquid pesticides which spilled onto the roadway and the adjacent dirt berms, it was handled as a hazardous material cleanup, which led to the roadway being closed for approximately 7 hours after the accident occurred at 7:15 a.m.

Parent said no decision will be made on the cause of the accident and no charges will be filed (if necessary) until the inspection of the pest control truck has been completed.

Watch this site for more information as it becomes available.

(previous story, Sat. April 23, 9 a.m.)

19-year-old Fallbrook resident seriously injured in head-on collision that closes SR76 with chemical spill

FALLBROOK - Conrad Murphy, a 19-year-old Fallbrook resident and stand-out Varsity baseball player from Valley Center High School was critically injured in a head-on collision with a Corky's Pest Control truck carrying hazardous materials traveling west on State Route 76 Saturday morning at 7:15 am.

According to John Buchanan, public information officer for North County Fire, "The 19-year-old was in worse condition than the other man, but both were in life-threatening situations."

The accident caused the closure of State Route 76 while hazardous material specialists worked over 7 hours to clean up chemicals that were spilled as a result of a head-on collision between the two trucks. The California Highway Patrol reported that the road was reopened at 3:24 p.m. from Interstate 15 to South Mission

Neither truck was carrying passengers. Paramedics were dispatched to the scene and found both men suffering from life-threatening injuries.

The Corky's Pest Control service truck, driven by a 35-year-old Oceanside man, was carrying chemicals. It was reported that the Corky's employee told the CHP he was driving his Ford Ranger west when he lost control and veered into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a Dodge Ram driven by Conrad Murphy. Murphy was flown to Palomar Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

Conrad Murphy is a stand-out baseball player and pitcher who also has a brother, Clark, that was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.

Watch this site for more information as additional details become available.

(previous story, Sat. April 23, 10 a.m.)

Head-on collision causes closure of Highway 76 at Gird Road, roadway may not be reopened until 2 p.m.

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

The California Highway Patrol has confirmed a serious traffic accident that occurred at 7:15 a.m. this morning has caused the closure of State Route 76 at Gird Road in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area.

The incident involved a head-on collision between a Dodge truck and a Ford truck. One of the vehicles is reportedly a company vehicle for Corky's Pest Control service.

Paramedics responded to the scene and found the accident involved solo male drivers. Both had suffered life-threatening injuries.

"One of the men had to be cut out of his truck," said John Buchanan of North County Fire. "One of the men was taken by helicopter to Palomar Hospital and the other by ground ambulance to Palomar."

Because one of the vehicles was carrying hazardous chemicals and a spill occurred, hazardous material teams have been dispatched to the area for cleanup.

Authorities estimate the roadway may remain close for up to four more hours, or approximately 2 p.m.