A Wendover man is in stable condition at a Salt Lake Hospital after sustaining serious injuries while long boarding Friday.
Myke Lavaka, 35, sustained severe head injuries Friday afternoon while long boarding in West Wendover without a helmut.
A long board is a longer variant of a skateboard. It is commonly used for cruising, downhill racing, slalom racing, sliding, and/or transport. A long board is greater in size (both length and width) than its smaller counterpart, the skateboard, and has more stability, traction and durability due to lower wheel durometers. Many, but not all long boards, use trucks (axles) that contain a different geometric parameters than a skateboard as well. These factors and their variation have given way to a variety of disciplines, functions and purposes for a long board.
While it is not known as of press time just how Lavaka fell off his long board he was discovered unconscious with injuries so severe he was air lifted to a Salt Lake area hospital.
According to a Tuesday facebook posting from his wife Sheri he is being kept sedated while he heels: “So i haven’t wanted to put too much on here about Mykes condition because it really is a slow process and very little changes from day to day. But i want you all to know that they wake him up several times a day to get reactions out of him and responses varied day to day but this morning when the neurosurgeons came in to check him they asked him to give a thumbs up and he did so they asked him to make a peace sign and he decided he would rather flip them the bird! They laughed and said they would take it. He can wake up but they want him asleep to keep the stimulation down to a minimum so the swelling doesn’t increase. When he opens his eyes and moves his arms and legs I know he is slowly making his way back to me and the kids and i am hopeful he’ll have a FULL and speedy recovery. I want to let everyone know that we are fasting today for Myke and you all can join if you are able! We continue to need your support and prayers at this time and i promise i will continue to update as long as there are changes in his condition. He is doing relatively well considering and we are truly thankful for all the support wet have gotten. I am truly humbled we love you all!” Sheri Lavaka