RSM Man Left a Quadriplegic after Accident, Friend Mobilizes to Help

A Rancho Santa Margarita man will likely never use his arms or legs again after a rollover accident a week ago; now a friend raising money for what’s expected to be a long recovery.

Originally from Mission Viejo, Tym Hale had just moved back to South Orange County from Santa Cruz – where he has two children– to take a construction job.

“Work was so scarce up there,” said longtime friend Tashia Peterman.

Hale was a passenger in a friend’s truck in Holy Jim Canyon off of Trabuco Creek Canyon Road when the vehicle rolled, Peterman said.

Orange County Fire Capt. Steve Concialdi confirmed the accident at about 10 p.m. May 12. One patient was trapped about two miles from pavement and needed extricating.

Peterman said the passenger side hit a boulder.

So far, he’s had one surgery, but needs more.

“During the first operation they found his spinal cord was heavily damaged between the C5 and C6 vertebrae and subsequently severed,” she said. “Also they need to another surgery in a few days after he wakes up from this coma as they need to stabilize other fractured vertebrae.”

Hale is like a son to Peterman, so she has mobilized to help him. He didn’t have health insurance, and hospital expenses are likely to be astronomical.

“We would like to raise money to help him with expenses other than what will be covered by medical,” she said. “Special therapy, special devices for quality of life. Any back child support he may owe, etc. Mostly things that will help him stay positive and have some hope that it will just be a different life not a sad existence.”

Peterman’s GoFundMe is here. As of publication time, she had raised nearly $2,400 of the $50,000 goal.