SAN DIEGO (KGTV)-- For the first time, we are hearing from the USPS mailman who survived a terrifying brush with death. Univision shared his hospital bed message on his road to recovery.
He was on his normal route, making his normal deliveries. But in an instant, Romulo Ruiz's life changed forever.
"Those brackets are holding my bones together," Ruiz said in Spanish.
He went from totally healthy to bedridden after a horrific workplace accident. On September 12, 2019, the mail carrier was in National City, standing behind his truck. A man suffering a seizure behind the wheel struck Ruiz and pinned him against his vehicle. The wheels behind Ruiz continued to turn until witnesses stopped the car.
"We got into the other car, and put it into reverse so we can release the USPS man, and he just fell to the ground," witness Mohammed Farha said.
Then they cared for Ruiz until emergency crews took him to the hospital.
Two weeks later, Ruiz is at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, recovering from his severe injuries.
"The plan is, the doctors will place brackets inside my legs rather than have them outside," Ruiz said, pointing at his legs.
Doctors said the road to recovery would be a long and tough one. But they also had good news. They were able to save his legs.
"Then I will have normal use of my legs," Ruiz said.
The Ruiz family has set up a Gofundme account for his medical expenses.
