Beau Franklin is a senior here at Eastmont High School. He is one of the Tech Center’s top students in Fire Science. As a 3rd-year student he is a class leader and mentor. He has been hired with WVFD (Wenatchee Valley Fire Department) as a volunteer firefighter, and has been enrolled in the Fire Academy and is attending the EMT-B class. As well as being a competitor in the Skills USA Regional Competition with taking 2nd place.
However, that was all put on hold on Saturday of March 2nd when he rolled his motorcycle on Sunset highway by the PUD building in East Wenatchee. His bike lost power at 40 mph while in 2nd gear, the rear tire locked up and dumped it. He slid 100’ missing an oncoming semi on the left and the guardrail on the right.
Three to six months of recovery is what he’s looking at. Three months of recovery in the back brace, and another three out of it along with physical therapy. Beau has T-7, 11, and 12 compression fractures, along with his L-1 being an unstable thru and thru fracture. He is able to sit up and walk with a back brace.
And although this accident was no one’s fault, it should still be said to raise awareness about motorcyclists. It might not be just an accident where someone doesn’t see you, it could just be a mechanical issue. That is why wearing the right protective gear is important. Beau had been wearing his helmet and gloves, as well as his jacket. His jacket was specifically meant to protect him in case of an accident, which of course did its job. It is completely shredded on the side that came into contact with the ground as he slid which he came out of with just a couple scratches on his and side.
I’m proud of my brother for all that has accomplished and continues to accomplish through his wild journey. He’s smart, responsible, stubborn, and can do anything he can set his mind to. I know this because I’ve seen it, time after time he has always persevered through his toughest challenges. Even now he still wants to ride, and wants to get another bike further down the road. He will also continue to study for his EMT class as he recovers, and once his six months of recovery is over he is going to jump right back into working his way towards becoming a firefighter.
