Nick Collins, guitarist and vocalist for local rock/groove band Fowler’s Mustache, was involved in a serious car accident on Aug. 3. Collins was ejected from the back of one vehicle after it crashed early Friday morning on I-526. He was then struck by an 18-wheeler, which did not stop. The truck ran over Collins’ legs.
John Tankersley, Fowler’s drummer, says the band has visited Collins several times every day since the accident, but since he’s still in the ICU, they haven’t been able to physically see him. “I can’t put the amount of support he is receiving into words,” he says. “Family, friends, Channel 2 news, the Windjammer, Midtown, Wild Wing, Finz, Triangle, Sullivan’s Island Fire & Rescue, and many others — everybody wants to help. We have already been approached by several people highly involved in the music/event scene about a series of benefit events for Nick and his family.” Details are still in the works, but friends and family already hosted a prayer service at MUSC with over 100 in attendance, and another is currently being organized.
“His progress has been nothing short of a miracle,” Tankersley adds. “Friday morning we feared the worst and now we’re getting better news each day. He is stable, but his legs still need several surgeries.”
Stay posted on Collins’ progress by visiting his CaringBridge page, which is being updated by his sister Courtney. Funds for Collins and his family can be donated through the website.
Another way to help: Tankersley says that Collins received a lot of blood, and he encourages the community to make blood donations. MUSC has a donation center that’s open Monday through Friday.
UPDATE MON. AUG. 13: The Post and Courier reported on Saturday that the left leg of Fowler’s Mustache guitarist Nick Collins was removed below the knee, according to Facebook posts made by Collins’ father, Mt. Pleasant Planning Commission member Nick Collins Jr.
According to the CaringBridge page, the family is remaining positive and believes that, “Bottom line, physiologically Nicholas has made huge improvements.”
“The nurses are starting to bring him up from the deep sedation he has been in and he has even gotten a few breaks from the respirator,” his sister Courtney Collins Oberly writes. “He has a long way to go in healing/repairing all his injuries and wounds. He will have much challenges in front of him.” Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.