A Utah CrossFit coach has suffered severe injuries after her golf cart crashed into a sand trap while vacationing in Mexico. Kerrie Olsen, 39, owner of Skol CrossFit gym, was rushed to a hospital in Puerto Vallarta last month with a traumatic brain injury, according to family members.
Injuries and Emergency Treatment
Olsen sustained a subdural hematoma, a condition where blood accumulates between layers of brain tissue. She had 16mm of bleeding, causing her brain to shift 7mm to the left. Emergency brain surgery was performed in a Mexican intensive care unit, after which doctors placed her in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator.
Last Wednesday, Olsen's sister Heidi Gustavson reported that Olsen was medically evacuated to a US hospital. During the flight, a medical team stabilized her while she remained on life support and fully sedated. Later that day, Gustavson shared that Olsen's breathing tube was removed and she underwent multiple tests, including CT and MRI scans.
Skull Replacement Surgery
Olsen's skull could not be reattached, and her family opted against surgery in Mexico due to bacterial concerns. Doctors created a custom ceramic piece to replace the damaged portion of her skull. Gustavson announced on Monday that the surgery was successful and completed in half the expected time.
On Tuesday morning, Gustavson reported that Olsen's swelling had decreased and she was making progress. 'She has so many stitches in her head and still has the NG tube. She is exhausted and resting. She is making progress, but again... this will be a very long road for her. Keep praying,' Gustavson added.
The Accident
Olsen was vacationing with her husband Paul and friends when the golf cart went airborne over a hill and tipped over into a sand trap. Friend Jamie Stagg, who was also in the cart, recalled the incident to local ABC affiliate KTVX: 'We were enjoying our time on the golf course with friends... and we were driving along the course and literally just came over the hill. There was a sand trap that you can’t see, and next thing you know, we’re in the air, nose-first into the sand trap.'
Stagg added that the vacation turned into a tragedy 'in a blink of an eye' and described the difficulty of watching Olsen's husband Paul in agony.
Community Support
Sicily Romano-Nelson, a coach at Skol CrossFit, told local Fox affiliate KSTU that the couple are pillars of the community and have three children. An online fundraiser described Olsen as knowing every member by name and celebrating their achievements. The family is raising funds to cover medical bills from Mexico, with a goal of $500,000.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Olsen's family for comment.
