By Vanesa Brashier, vbrashier@hcnonline.com

Justin Johnston works on rehabilitation exercises with Gabby Macias ofTIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

Justin Johnston works on rehabilitation exercises with Gabby Macias ofTIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

Liberty County constable recovering from accident

A Liberty County constable who suffered a traumatic brain injury on Feb. 15 after being hit by a truck is making a rapid recovery.

Pct. 1 Constable Justin Johnston is not ready for marathons just yet but with a little more therapy, he could once again chase fugitives. Just three weeks after the accident that nearly claimed his life, Johnston is walking, talking, playing his guitar and completing exams that test his cognitive abilities.

His recovery is nothing short of remarkable. Johnston has another word for it miraculous.

"It literally was the prayers of God's people that saved my life," the 39-year-old lawman said. "I don't deserve any credit. I am just a guy who went to work to provide for his children and to be a responsible person. I am not a superhero. I got hit by a truck but God showed up and spared my life because His people were crying out for mercy for me."

Johnston cannot recall large chunks of time on the night he was hit. Only small snippets remain, which he has pieced together into a more complete account with the recollections of his fellow peace officers, some of whom witnessed the accident and immediately began performing life-saving procedures on Johnston.

"My memories are fuzzy. I remember certain things, certain sounds. I remember being on the helicopter when it took off and being scared. I remember being in the ambulance," he said. "People who have come to visit me and were on scene after the accident have helped me fill in a few more details, but I don't remember actually being struck."

His doctors at the TIRR at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston have told him he could be released as early as the end of the month as long as he continues to make progress. He's certainly doing his part. On Friday, as part of his daily therapy, he spent 15 minutes on an elliptical machine and then took three flights of stairs back to his hospital room.

"You took those stairs like a boss," teased his girlfriend, Steffani Erickson. "You just shimmied up the stairs so fast. It's so awesome."

Johnston smiled back at her and then added, "Therapy has been great. I've been working my tail off. I've been doing a lot of core strengthening and a lot of balance exercises. We walk around the whole complex. Yesterday, my therapist walked with me to Starbucks. I got to have some coffee, which was cool."

Erickson and the constable's other loved ones have maintained an around-the-clock vigil at the hospital. A schedule posted on his hospital room wall helps them keep track of who will be with him on any given day. He will need the help for a few more weeks as he must undergo one more surgery to replace the section of skull that was removed immediately after the accident.

"You can tell the whole right side of my head is off. They took that section of my skull out. It's in the freezer somewhere at the hospital. About 90 days after the initial injury, they will put it back," he said.

He knows he has an uphill battle to regain his energy and achieve a sense of normalcy.

"The old normal is a thing of the past. I have to get to a new normal," he said. "Right now my equilibrium is a bit off. My balance is also off at the moment. I know it sounds very dramatic but I kind of feel like I had to learn to walk again."

Johnston will also be sporting a brain-protecting hat for the next few months until the skull fracture is healed. He is optimistic about the future and feels confident he will be able to return to his elected position. He estimates returning to work before summer begins.

"I am expecting to be back at work in the middle of May. I won't be out kicking in doors and taking in bad guys just yet, but I'll get there slowly," he said.

Johnston also is looking forward to acknowledging the people who saved his life.

"I have a lot of 'thank yous' to say and a lot of necks to hug," he said.

He is confident that his life was spared for a reason.

"I have an amazing story to tell. I don't believe the Lord caused the accident or even made it to happen. I don't even know if I would go so far as to say he allowed it to happen, but it happened and just like it says in Job, though he giveth and taketh away, I will still praise him. That's my story," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord has a special plan for my life."

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