Derek Blake

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


Derek was in a motorcycle accident last night in McMinnville.  He was unresponsive and not breathing at the crash sight.  He was life flighted to Legacy Emanuel Medical Clinic where they immediately performed a laparotomy (abdominal surgery)  to investigate his injuries.  His liver sustained great damage and both lungs were collapsed. His C-5 vertebrae is broken but does not appear to be causing  any paralysis. He has some bleeding  in his head and possibly a sheer injury to his brain with an unknown amount of brain damage.  He will be sedated for 5 days and we will go from there. He will have his abdomin re-opened to unpack the gauze around his liver on Friday.  He will be taken off his breathing machine after the 5 days of sedation.


There are good things though. Derek’s vitals have been stable. The pressure in his head remains good (the first 72 hours are the most critical).  Nothing has gotten worse, only stable or improved.  Derek is super strong and super determined.  And we, his family and friends are super strong. 


He is currently in the neuro/trauma unit of Legacy Emanuel in Portland. Visiting hours are 8am -8pm and limited to two people at a time.  We appreciate your prayers and thoughts. Much Love, Derek’s Family