Miami Springs Motorcycle Officer Charlie Schubert was back in the saddle on Jan. 7 after recovering from an accident that happened eight months ago.
On the morning of April 25, 2012, Schubert was patrolling in the 1100 block of South Royal Poinciana Boulevard when a large box truck made a sudden U-turn in front of him. The officer’s bike struck the driver’s side door and Schubert was thrown to the pavement.
“The motorcycle exploded,” said Officer Jimmy Pessolano, who was about a block behind Schubert. Police officers from several agencies and paramedics were there in minutes and the officer was treated on the scene before being taken to the hospital.
Schubert had bumps and bruises along his right side from his foot to his shoulder but no broken bones and was released later in the day.
A few days later, Schubert said, “I count my blessing. I had no broken bones or lacerations. I’m in pain but thank God I’m alive.”
However, complications set in and it was a long road to recovery. Schubert’s right shoulder had slammed against the truck’s door and he suffered injuries to his rotator cuff and ligaments.
Last Monday, Schubert said, “I’ll never forget the sound of crashing metal. I’ve heard it from afar but I never thought I’d be in the middle of it.”
Schubert, 54, has been a Miami Springs police officer for 24 years and on the motorcycle squad for almost 20 years. He and his wife Raisa have a 16-year-old daughter, Krista, and the family lives in the Springs.
Although Schubert was initially in the hospital for less than a day, his injuries required months of physical therapy and shoulder surgeries before he could return to work on light duty a few months ago.
The officer’s Harley-Davidson had $10,000 in damage and had to be completely rebuilt, including a new frame. “It runs like new,” said Schubert.
Schubert had no reservations about being back on his motorcycle and plans to stay on motors until he retires. “It’s no more dangerous than other police work except you don’t have a steel cage around you.”
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