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L. Brooks Patterson Released From Hospital

The Oakland County Executive was injured in a crash five weeks ago today.

Five weeks after suffering almost a dozen broken bones in a car accident in Auburn Hills, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has been released from the hospital.

According to a press release from his office, Patterson was discharged from McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac on Friday and will continue his rehabilitation at an undisclosed location.

"I’ve made great progress under the outstanding care of the staff at McLaren Oakland Hospital," Patterson said in a statement included in the news release. "I look forward to continuing the healing process so that I can return to the Executive Office building soon."

Patterson has been hospitalized since Aug. 10 when the car he was riding in crashed into another car at an Auburn Hills intersection.  at a flashing yellow turn signal, causing the crash.

Patterson broke a hip, leg, ankle, five ribs and both wrists. 

Anthony Prainito, the driver of the Volkswagen Passat that Patterson's Chrysler 300 crashed into at the intersection of Walton and Opdyke, was  in the crash. He pleaded not guilty. 

Patterson's car was driven by his longtime driver, James Cram. Neither Cram nor Patterson were wearing seatbelts when the cars crashed; Patterson's seatbelt was . 

Cram remains hospitalized.

JEANNE September 15, 2012 at 04:34 am
I heard several times that the other driver was ticketed, for failure to yield, was anyone ticketed or are there any plans to ticket those not wearing seat belts?
Linda P September 15, 2012 at 11:44 am
I think Mr. Patterson should be held accountable for his seat belt wearing failures. Perhaps speaking to many classrooms full of student or young drivers.....about his error in judgement which almost cost him his life might help save another's and introduce him to the concept of humility.
Haulin T Male September 15, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I think the penchant for a ticket says some thing about the inner core of some people. A ticket is usually given to serve a purpose to educate, to make an indignant person see and respect authority, learn. Brook is neither, and has suffered more then anteing up and paying some chump change. for a "ticket" would the $$$ even come out of his salary? probably come out of his per Diem, (not a line item on his expenses) the actual dollars paid back. (not taxable)
Seems people still live by the sword, if they only knew how many infractions go unticketed, cause the result of the incident is far greater. To give a ticket or not to is at the discretion of the officer. What purpose does it serve to write a ticket, to quiet the sword bearers?, only to have it ripped up quietly, out of site, wake up, that goes on. Do you reprimand all your kids the same way, w/o saying to self she has learned the hard way.
Ivy September 15, 2012 at 02:05 pm
Vote him out! That would be great lesson. Brooks seems to lack good judgment.
Lynn Vander Meer September 15, 2012 at 02:14 pm
Using that logic, if I shoot my husband instead of divorcing him, I will suffer more by losing his income and not collecting alimony, right? Will I have "suffered enough" not to be charged with assault or murder? Nope. Everyone gets a ticket, chump change or not. I've had my hams saved several times by wearing my seatbelt in very serious crashes. No one is above the laws of physics!
Lynn Vander Meer September 15, 2012 at 02:16 pm
His driver was speeding. Did he get a ticket? Did Brooks notice? And hey, why does he need a driver?
Ruthann Bajorek September 15, 2012 at 03:10 pm
Any news on Mr. Cram's condition?
Linda P September 15, 2012 at 04:39 pm
Knee jerk comment Ivy, when you make a bad judgment for your family or household or neighborhood what should we do to you? Patterson has already suffered serious injury, likely some embarassment and no doubt lesson learned. Isn't that what we should be satisfied with? You sound like you are in for blood sport.
Linda P September 15, 2012 at 04:42 pm
I assume you are referring to Patterson, since he is the subject of the article. Patterson did NOT cause the accident, was a sober passenger and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time exaccaberating the problem with no seatbelt. Perhaps you are the one who needs to wake up and become aware of the facts of the story.
Scot Beaton September 15, 2012 at 05:29 pm
How about this perspective... no spin.
If one were to make a list of accomplishments and leadership for the County his record far outpaces the negative comments I've read recently in the Patch. I sincerely thank Mr. Patterson still to this day -- sticking up for LGBT rights and throwing creepy Tom McMillin gay bashing comments under the bus! If Mr. Patterson's driver was speeding then he also should get a ticket -- and one could argue that is what caused this accident. So one could also argue that the County should back off throwing the book at the driver who is currently at fault. If true... those who were not wearing seat belts should also be held accountable and be issued tickets. One could also think the right PR move would be accept responsibility -- suggestion, Mr. Patterson should pay out of his own pocket a percentage of his hospital bill -- one could argue tax payer dollars should not cover this misjudgement on his part. I'm hopeful all recover well from the misfortune -- but this misfortune can turn into something good... and I look forward to some great public service announcements on wearing seat belts coming from Mr. Patterson upon his recovery.
Karen M Faett September 15, 2012 at 07:40 pm
I am saddened by the pettiness of so many of these comments.
Why the thirst for blood? Did any of you, with the exception of Scot Beacon offer one word of thanks when Brooks brought jobs to our county, balanced our county budget with a surplus, asked for and received some of his county officials a pay cut in order to continue offering us the best services any county could dream of? Funny how many of you still want to support Kwame or Bill Clinton, perjurers amd disbarred attorneys, and others for far worse transgressions, but for you, you want more suffering from Brooks. Did you pray for his healing? Did you offer a single kind word when he lost his son, or brother? NO! Shame on you. With your attitude, you don't deserve Brooks as your executive. Move to Wayne and support Ficano since he of course has done no wrong. And fyi, Gable gabs, alcoholism is a disease, and regardless of your classless comments, alcohol has no place in this discussion. Again, if you don't like the way Oakland County is run, please move out!
Daryl Patrishkoff September 15, 2012 at 07:45 pm
In contrary to many of these posts, I am very happy to hear Brooks is getting out of the hospital and on to the next phase of recovery. I am sure he has a lot of work in front of him to get back physically and I wish him well and I will keep him in my prayers.
Not sure how the others that were injured in this accident are doing, but I also wish them a speedy recovery. The focus should be on getting these injured human beings back to health, not political banter. This is a lesson in life the hard way, we all are human and make mistakes in life, this seems to be Brooks’ lesson. It is also a clear message to all of us that life can change in a second. These attacks on Brooks are in poor taste and sometimes disgusting. How about having the debate when the time is right? Now is the time for the injured to heal.
Karen M Faett September 15, 2012 at 07:47 pm
what crazy behavior? Running the county well? Having a driver so Brooks can work on the go? And you, Ivy, do you drive on our maintained roads, use our courts or clerks offices? The reason they are open and operation is because of Brook's management. For once I can honestly say I am in the 99%-
Because that's the percentage of people roughly who voted to continue having Brooks be our executive. You are the 1% here and I suggest if you don't like what the majority of us believe that you relocate to Wayne or Gennessee County, or better yet, just move to California so you can be with the rest of the uninformed who like living in bankrupt cities and counties.
Karen M Faett September 15, 2012 at 07:50 pm
For your self righteousness, Let me introduce you to the concept of humility. Who are you to take other people's inventory?
Ronald Wolf September 15, 2012 at 08:40 pm
Good Grief! Is the Patch going "tabloid".
Erin September 15, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Get well soon Mr. Patterson.
Kristin Bull (Editor) September 16, 2012 at 12:41 am
@Jeanne: the driver of the other car was charged with a misdemeanor in the crash. There have been no tickets that we know of, yet, for the seat belt misuse.
Kristin Bull (Editor) September 16, 2012 at 12:44 am
Comments have been deleted from this article for violating our Terms of Use. Please refer to them here: http://rochester.patch.com/terms
Frustrated Old Man September 16, 2012 at 01:40 am
Mr. Patterson, I can't imagine the pain and agony you've experienced since this accident. As we get older, the healing process takes even longer, and the mental anguish takes it's toll. I wish you a speedy recovery, and hope things return to normal for you as soon as possible!
Haulin T Male September 16, 2012 at 05:50 am
LYNN: are you saying you need driver ed. again, since you have been in so many crashes, I think some time in the time out box for you. IN all your crashes did you get a ticket for your License plate light not working, it's the law......as for murder, that is just "fallacious" reasoning , not even on the same playing field.
Haulin T Male September 16, 2012 at 06:07 am
My first thought was to say, who lacks good judgement? Remember what you have said, when you enter one of the Oakland Co. Parks, if you notice all the green belts, are cut on the week ends, by private co's, Out sourced. the only area cut by the co. is No. Co. where weeds grow around the stop signs, so a tractor and sickle blade is used. The co. had the same down turn in income as most of the 31 cities had, he did not threaten to close the library as Troy did, or disband the sheriff patrol etc etc so be care full what you say, as you see the Co. came out of the recession in good shape......... as for speeding? who said?? a little black box? was it tested for accuracy? iF a ticket was given for speeding it would get tossed out in court..... same as a lot of radar tickets use to.. he needs a driver cause of his position, it is in the bylaws/charter (?) THAT is for any one in that position. you think that position punches out at 5, and done? I like the others who are thinking of the injuries, the other driver did get a ticket cause he did turn in front of on coming traffic.
Haulin T Male September 16, 2012 at 06:22 am
sir then what good is having insurance, it you are at fault in an ACCIDENT, why do we have no Fault? to take this accident out of the court system. speeding was not witness by any policeman, or measuring devise, (black Box?) was it accurate? set up by whom? when, what kind of accurate master was used? how long ago was it done if done, when the car was built? what happens to this devise when it is going down a wash board, North Oak. Co road? see all sorts of views, that is why we have like 22 judges ...... not counting your local courts for small misc. matters.
Haulin T Male September 16, 2012 at 06:27 am
Good Grief (charlie brown) or is it a an Oxymoron, most Grief is bad. till recovery...... just saying, society has already gone Tabloid, GooD Morning , Ron. TMZ and all the other shows on T v....... WHY ARE we to be put down...lol
Kevin Moser September 16, 2012 at 04:03 pm
I am a little lost at comment about his payin a portion of his hospital bill and not the tax payer? The tax payer paid the insurance premum the county vehicle was covered under. Why should they not pay all bills associated with his hospitalization?
Scot Beaton September 16, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Haulin, Kevin...
I only through this out for discussion -- I don't know the details of those involved in an auto accident -- where coverage begins and ends when one does not wear a seat belt... thanks both for your response.
Haulin T Male September 17, 2012 at 02:42 am
Scott: No Fault, insurance, what your trying to muddle the picture with, is why the courts were bogged down to start with. Perhaps if you are hit, your atty. can go thru the maint. records of the car that hit you, might find out his tie rod was not changed in a decade. Just throwing that out there. You know, the reason for no fault and agreed by all ins. co's, was to streamline the process. it works for the INs. Co. and works against.

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Pictured from left to right are Holy Family International Writing First Place Winners Mary Semak (Middle School Division) and Mary Carthew (Junior Division).
Kirsten Hydorn June 19, 2013 at 11:04 am
Congratulations to both Marys! This reminds us of the excellence and the teacher talent at HolyRead More Family that propels their students to success. As an alumni parent reading this article I have the pleasure of once again cheering for the entire school community!
Barbara Barnes June 14, 2013 at 03:01 pm
The date is June 20th. Call Barbara Barnes LMSW at 248 651-9097 to reserve you place at the FirstRead More Congregational Church, 1315 N. Pine St, Rochester.
Scot Beaton June 12, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Hugo... the road, bridge, road right of way: The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC)... theRead More aesthetic black fence... Rochester Hills... let's assume there waiting for an insurance claim to go through or debating who pays. Thanks for your post. You could call the Mayor, but he is in Istanbul Turkey... looking over some plans for a new shopping mall they want to build in an historic park. Makes perfectly good sense this is the same Mayor who supported tearing down a historic house on Rochester Road to build a new strip mall... and turning Office Research Technology zoning into a Wal-Mart.
Beverly June 13, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Yes I have been wondering too...I am going to use the RCOC website and see if they will respond