Jerad Bortz(from wicked) car accident.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/5/18 at 8:57pm

Just thought I’d share this, truly a tragic story. I hope they both recover quickly...

“Absolutely horrible horrible news. Longtime Wicked alum Jerad Bortz and his partner Steven have been in a terrible car accident. Jerad is seriously hurt and is currently unable to move from the chest down and has limited use of his hands. He's having surgery now, but apparently is keeping a level head about things, so that's good. Steven has a broken wrist and bleeding on the brain, but is stable. Emily Mechler has set up a page to help them with expenses etc. Absolutely horrible horrible news. Longtime Wicked alum Jerad Bortz and his partner Steven have been in a terrible car accident. Jerad is seriously hurt and is currently unable to move from the chest down and has limited use of his hands. He's having surgery now, but apparently is keeping a level head about things, so that's good. Steven has a broken wrist and bleeding on the brain, but is stable. Emily Mechler has set up a page to help them with expenses etc. 

https://www.youcaring.com/jeradbortzskee...ls-1089563

Really horrible to hear such news.Really horrible to hear such news.”

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 1:37am

I just saw him in the show on Sunday night.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 1:50am

So awful. Thinking about them and wishing them both a speedy recovery. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 6:45pm

An update on the situation, truly horrible. I hope they can both rebound from this ... “Jerad Bortz and his partner, Steven Skeelz, were in a terrible car accident on Sunday, February 4th. Jerad and Steven never lost consciousness, but right away, Jerad knew it was critically serious. “I can’t feel my legs”, he told Steven. He was first treated at a local ER in the Poconos and then life-flighted to a trauma center in Allentown, PA. Jerad had sustained fractures to C6 and C7 in his neck and was paralyzed from the chest down with limited hand and arm movement/sensation. He went into surgery on Monday, February 5th to stabilize his cervical spine, with a fusion to C5, C6, and C7. On Friday, February 9th, Jerad was transferred to the Kessler Institute for Spinal Research and Rehabilitation. His Doctor there has echoed the surgeon’s assessment that Jerad will be wheel-chair bound for life and that they hope through time and hard work, he can make some gains with his hands. His injury, severe bruising of the entire spinal cord, has been deemed “complete”, meaning his paralysis is permanent.”

https://www.youcaring.com/jeradbortzskeelsandstevenskeels-1089563

Updated On: 2/12/18 at 06:45 PM

[Tag]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 6:58pm

Terrible.

It would be nice if Wicked's official social channels would share that link...

[steven22]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 7:06pm

He’s been in Wicked almost every single time I’ve seen it on broadway over the past 10+ years. Wishing him well.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 7:06pm

Employers really can't share any sort of medical information....lots of issues with it.

 

Very sad, indeed.

[smidge]

Posted: 4/23/18 at 11:12pm

An update; Both Jerad and Steven appeared at today’s Easter Bonnet competition and sang with the Wicked cast. Such an emotional moment for everyone. And Jerad gave a lovely speech and wore the Wicked bonnet

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 4/24/18 at 4:28am

What an absolutely horrible thing.  I always loved him in Wicked.  I'm glad they survived but I'm deeply sad he will (most likely) not be with Wicked anymore.  Tragic.  

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/24/18 at 10:15am

Jerad's appearance in Wicked's bonnet skit was incredible.

[TravisOKC]

Posted: 4/25/18 at 12:35am

How awesome would it be if the powers that be at wicked were able to rework some of the choreography so Jerad could still be in the show?!

[SingItToMeBaby]

Posted: 4/25/18 at 2:46pm

TravisOKC said: "How awesome would it beif the powers that be at wickedwere able to rework some of the choreography so Jerad could still be in the show?!"

That would be awesome. Also would be great to see more representation of varying abilities in bway moving forward!