Former ESPN sportscaster ejected from RV crash onto busy Southern California freeway and survives

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Cordell Patrick, a former ESPN sportscaster, miraculously survived being thrown from an RV during a crash on a bustling Southern California freeway. While recovering in the hospital, Patrick, his body swathed in bandages, recounted the harrowing ordeal to TV news stations in the Los Angeles area, detailing his injuries, including multiple fractures and extensive road rash.

Speaking to KCAL/KCBS, Patrick shared, “It was a blur. It was crazy. I don’t know how I’m alive.” The accident occurred on State Route 14 near Valencia, just north of Los Angeles. Patrick and his wife were returning from a camping trip when the incident happened. His wife was driving the RV while Patrick got up to use the restroom.

“I had just unbuckled my seat belt — it was unbuckled for five seconds,” he explained to KTLA. Patrick noticed his wife dozing off and the RV veering towards the median. In an attempt to seize control of the steering wheel, he was unable to react in time before the RV crashed.

The impact ejected Patrick out of the driver-side window, flinging him over the median wall. He rolled and slid across the opposite side of the freeway, an event captured by a motorist’s dashcam. A driver narrowly missed hitting him, and Patrick managed to drag himself to the safety of the divider, with bystanders rushing to assist.

Patrick’s injuries were severe, including multiple broken bones, extensive road rash, and he required numerous stitches to his head. Despite the gravity of the accident, he expressed profound gratitude for his survival to KABC-TV, saying, “By the grace of God I’m still here, man.”