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Coma-induced El Tour cyclist opens his eyes

By Dan Marries - email  

A glimmer of hope for the bicyclist critically injured in this year's El Tour de Tucson. 

According to a family friend, Gary Stuebe, opened his eyes on Thursday.

The friend asked Gary to blink if he could hear him. Gary blinked. 

Stuebe was one of 10 bicyclists who slammed into a car that turned in front of them on Ina Road. The driver, believed to be a 91-year-old man, left the scene of the accident. The Pima County Attorney's Office is still reviewing the case against the suspected driver. 

Stuebe has been in a drug induced coma for nearly a month and has had three brain surgerys to relieve swelling.

As you can imagine, the bills are piling up for the Stuebe family and friends have set up a medical fund at any Bank of America. It is in Gary Stuebe's name. Gary's wife, Angela,  is not working so she can take care of the family and be with Gary as much as possible. Gary obviously hasn't worked in almost 4 weeks now.

Gene Landers, a close friend of the Steube's appreciates any kind of help.

 "Christmas is a time of giving. If just everyone who gets this could donate $10 it would help Angela pay monthly household bills, buy food, and some christmas gifts for their children," Landers said.