A 24-year-old Norwegian man, Joachim Lanham, tragically lost his life while rollerblading across the United States. He was allegedly struck by an SUV driven by an 82-year-old woman in Kansas, who then left the scene.
This incident occurred on September 5, during the 22nd day of Lanham’s journey from New York to Los Angeles. An off-duty first responder discovered him critically injured in a ditch near Salina, approximately 175 miles from Kansas City, as reported by the Wichita Eagle.
Lanham was initially taken to Salina Regional Health Center before being moved to the intensive care unit at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
Sadly, he spent six days in a medically induced coma before succumbing to his injuries on September 11.
Lanham’s family shared on his Instagram that his brother Michael was by his side, holding his hand during his final moments.
According to the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, the driver came forward while the investigation was ongoing.
Police reported that the woman, driving a 2013 Ford Edge SUV, believed she hit something while traveling west on Country Club Road. After initially thinking nothing was wrong, she continued on her way.
It was only upon returning home and noticing damage to her vehicle that she realized she had indeed struck something. She then contacted a friend to return to the scene with her.
Lt. Scott Trembley noted that the driver was aware she hit something but was uncertain about what it was.
As of now, the case is with the Saline County Attorney’s Office to determine if any charges will be filed against the elderly driver.
Interestingly, just 40 minutes before the incident, Lanham was speaking with his parents about the significance of long-distance rollerblading in his life.
On the day of the accident, he posted a video showing himself rollerblading on the quiet roads of Kansas, commenting on the heatwave he was enduring.
“I’m in Kansas baby, the heatwave has been kicking my ass, I thought I knew what hot, but nothing like this,” he wrote in his post.
He went on to express his determination, mentioning that nature might slow him down but he was committed to his mission.
Earlier this year, Lanham had also completed an impressive 3,665-mile skate across Australia.
His family expressed gratitude for the support he received during his adventures, declaring that it meant the world to him.
They also shared the last video he recorded before the accident, which depicted a butterfly flapping its wings on his foot.
