Professor awakes from coma after car crash

Ariel Schwarts Asst. News Editor

Last week, Visiting Assistant Professor of Women’s Studies Kristin Carter awoke from a coma. Carter was involved in an automobile accident near Rhinebeck earlier this summer. The accident occurred while it was raining outside and the roads were wet. Carter’s car slid and spun around, hitting a tree. The professor suffered numerous serious injuries, including a broken clavicle, a collapsed lung, and breaks in her arms and wrists.

Carter was in a coma for approximately ten days. Her parents, who currently reside in San Diego, came to Poughkeepsie after her accident. Vassar is currently providing housing for the couple while Carter recovers.

Dean of the Faculty Ronald Sharp met with Carter’s parents the day that Carter opened her eyes and began talking for the first time. Sharp said, “There was a question about having surgery done on her broken bones…I know the wrist was one area in particular that they were concerned about. I don’t know whether she’s now well enough so that they can start some surgery there.”
Replacements have been hired to cover Carter’s courses, and the professor has been put on medical leave. Sharp said, “We don’t know when she’ll come back, but everybody is thrilled that she came out of the coma.”