Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Murphy, Opelt, Petke, Gardner, Anding
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/25/2021
David Murphy Welcomed Home After Deadly Accident (2021)
By Ryan Spoehr
The early morning of Aug. 8 was a life-changing moment for David Murphy of Christie, but it could have been worse.
Murphy was one of two Clark County highway workers who were dispatched after midnight Aug. 8 to remove a fallen tree across CTH G near Mann Road in Willard after a severe storm went through central Wisconsin.
Shortly after arriving, a vehicle struck Murphy, the tree and the other county worker, Russell Opelt, who did not survive.
“I don’t know the names of the deputies, but they saved my life,” Murphy said. “They caused me the worst pain I’ve ever felt, but they saved my life.”
Murphy lost his leg because of the accident. He also spent nearly two weeks in the hospital, which included therapy.
“Other than that, I have some bruises and scrapes, and everything else is healed up.” Murphy said.
“The therapy nurses were really impressed. They were working petty hard. They told me what to do, so I’d do it and keep moving forward,” he added.
After Murphy was dispatched from Marshfield Medical Center Aug. 20, he received an escort from the Clark County Highway and Sheriff’s departments. There was a total of seven highway department trucks in the escort. Signs were posted along Highway H enroute to his home, like “Welcome home,” “You got this?” and other symbols of support and encouragement.
When David Murphy returned home from the hospital, there were signs along Highway H and leading up to his home, like this one, encouraging and supporting him.
When he got home, he was greeted with signs of encouragement as well as family and friends as a part of a homecoming party.
David Murphy and his family were all smiles when he got back home from the hospital last Friday. Just after 1 a.m. Aug. 8, Murphy, a Clark County Highway Department worker, lost his leg and almost his life after he was struck by a car while trying to remove a tree that had fallen across Highway G. Ryan Spoehr/Clark County Press photos
The escort and welcoming party after he got back home were supposed to be a secret, but in typical 2021 fashion it was hard to keep plans completely under wraps.
“It got out on Facebook,” Murphy said. “I found out about 15 minutes before I left.”
However, that did not stop him from taking in the whole experience of the day.
“It was wonderful,” Murphy said.
The Sheriff’s department helped with traffic control, when necessary, specifically the intersection of highways 73 and H. The Chili Fire Department also helped out at the Highway Y intersection.
The party was well attended with family members, friends and co-workers at the highway department.
“The support from the community and everyone has just been amazing,” Murphy said.
The party and the escort were largely organized by Jenny Petke, Murphy’s cousin.
“The crew takes good care of us with snow removal and snow plowing and removing trees; it’s only right to be here and to give it back,” Petke said.
There was also involvement by several others through an effort on Facebook, including Jay Gardner, a fellow highway department worker, along with several other individuals, including Murphy’s cousin, Donna Anding.
Gardner said, Murphy deserved a big homecoming. “He went through hell that night,” Gardner said.
“He is a good man [and] a hell of a worker. I can’t wait for him to get back into the shop to get him working again,” Gardner added.
Murphy lost his left leg due to the accident, which could have presented complications when he arrived home.
Anding made phone calls to people asking for assistance because a ramp was needed so Murphy could get back into his house via a wheelchair.
“Ron Trunkel and his team were out here Monday and Tuesday and got it done,” Anding said.
Murphy shared appreciation for the efforts of Trunkel and his team for the ramp that was built.
Murphy said there is no timetable for him to return to work, but it is anticipated he will. Multiple friends and family members at the party said, “Don’t tell him he can’t because he will.”
After the accident and loss of his leg, Murphy has no plans to have his life greatly impacted. In fact, he has plans for one of fall’s traditions in just a few weeks from now.
“I’m going to be up north bear hunting,” Murphy said. “I might just be riding around in a truck, but I will be up there.” Murphy is a 21-year veteran of the highway department.
