Press Release –
BREA, Calif., (Aug. 2, 2006) – American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announced today that Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV racer Jeremiah Jones, 26, is in stable condition after Monday’s surgery to repair vertebrae and determine the damage to his spinal cord after he crashed at the ATVA National Motocross Championship at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, NY, the previous day.
The three-time AMA ATVA Pro Motocross champion went to Unadilla as a contender for another title, having won last year’s event. Unfortunately, in the second moto, Jones was caught up in a multiple-quad crash and was rushed to Basset Healthcare Hospital in nearby Cooperstown , NY , for surgery. Although Jones is paralyzed from the waist down, he is in good spirits and extremely positive.
Next week, Jones and his wife, Jamie, and new-born son, Jeremiah Nathaniel, will relocate to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta , Ga. , for rehabilitation. Jones’ immediate goal is to walk with assistance as soon as possible. Although he’ll be unable to race ATVs, Jones plans to continue his involvement with Suzuki ATVs and the sport he loves.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to Jeremiah and his family,” said Rod Lopusnak , ASMC’s ATV Operations Manager. “His attitude is amazing, his conditioning is good and his drive to succeed is strong. He’s a few hours out of surgery and already he’s doing physical therapy. Suzuki completely stands behind Jeremiah and supports him during this recovery period and in what he chooses to do in the future.”
A website, www.JEREMIAHJONES2.com, is currently under construction and will be accessible to those wanting to make donations, send well wishes and receive updates on Jones’ condition.
In addition to Jones’ AMA ATVA Pro Motocross titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003, he won the overall AATVA Grand National Championship in 2001. Jones also won the Pro-Am championship in 2001 and finished second in AATVA Pro Motocross 2002.
