Netflix actor Clayton Conroy is recovering from brain surgery and learning to walk again after being struck by a driver allegedly traveling at 100 mph in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old star of "The Gringo Hunters" sustained a traumatic brain injury, a fractured hip and shoulder, severed nerves in his arm and broken bones in his leg during the collision on April 19.
Conroy was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following the crash, where doctors informed him of the severity of his injuries. He spent a month in the hospital undergoing treatment, including brain surgery, and was initially left entirely unable to walk.
A 19-year-old Anaheim resident, Noor El Deen Amr Soror, was arrested in connection with the crash on August 26. He has been charged with felony reckless driving causing major injuries.
Conroy's mother told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that her son had been meeting friends at a local bar on the night of the crash, but had not been drinking because he was scheduled to work the following day.
Recalling the moments before the impact to the newspaper, Conroy said: "The road was looking as normal as it could, just lights on the road behind me. I did, perhaps, notice certain lights approaching quickly. From there, I woke up in the hospital."
California Highway Patrol Central Los Angeles Captain Martin Geller issued a public statement addressing the arrest.
"This incident is another reminder that reckless driving is not only dangerous, it can have devastating and life-changing consequences," Geller said. "Speeding, unsafe maneuvers, and other reckless behavior behind the wheel put everyone on the roadway at risk."
Hospital recovery and therapy
Since his discharge from Cedars-Sinai, Conroy has focused on cognitive, physical and occupational therapy. The Sentinel reported that he initially relied on a rollator for mobility before progressing to a cane, and is now able to walk short distances.
Conroy has sporadically documented his recovery process on social media in recent months. In late July, he posted photographs from the hospital and shared an update on his condition.
"Summer turned out a lot different than I ever thought it would. Got hit by a guy going over 100. Had brain surgery. Was supposed to die," Conroy wrote. "Spent my birthday in the hospital. Lost 20 pounds. Severed nerves in my arm and fractured bones in my leg. Still can't walk. But I've had time to think about a lot."
He added: "Idk just don't take anything for granted. Oh and friends + family will get you through anything. And justice isn't given. You have to fight for it."
Neurological impact
Despite his physical progress, the actor continues to experience chronic headaches, brain fog and cognitive fatigue as a result of the traumatic brain injury.
"That process, you really don't have control over it," Conroy told the Sentinel regarding his neurological recovery. "You just have to rest and hope that it gets better and better."
He noted that the experience has shifted his perspective. "I'm feeling different but, I guess, lucky or happy that it could be much worse. [I'm] trying not to take things for granted," he said.
On Sunday, five months after the crash, the actor posted a short video on Instagram to update his followers on his health.
"So tomorrow marks five months from my accident. I'm finally feeling good enough to post something. It's been getting better," Conroy said in the video.
"Every day, and I just wanted to hop on and say that you might have dark times. There might be dark days, dark months, even. But it does get better. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it."
Acting career
Conroy gained prominence for his role in the Netflix series "The Gringo Hunters", which was released last year. The show is based on a real Mexican police unit tasked with capturing American fugitives attempting to evade criminal charges by crossing the border.
In the series, Conroy played Padre Terry, a Catholic priest who is arrested and detained by the unit.
He also recently starred in the Aaron Stylez directed comedy "That One Summer", which is currently streaming. The film centers on four suburban teenagers in the mid-1990s who are led on an unforgettable journey after encountering a traumatized former military nurse.
