Alyssa Chamberlin doesn’t remember much from the Aug. 1 accident that forced aid units to airlift her to Harborview Medical Center, and left her bicycle crumpled on State Route 305.

It’s a blessing, as far as her mother Mary is concerned.

“We hope it is never a part of her memory,” Mary said Monday.

Chamberlin, 20, is conscious, but still in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center this week, undergoing treatment for numerous broken bones.

David Ortiz, a 51-year-old Bainbridge resident who was hospitalized following a separate traffic accident less than two hours later, is recovering at home from internal injuries.

Chamberlin graduated from high school in Virginia and came to the Northwest to be close to her parents, who moved to Bainbridge last summer.

She had finished an associate’s degree at Seattle Central Community College and was planning to transfer to a university this fall.

Mary said Chamberlin was working several part-time jobs on the island this summer and bicycled between them. She was pedaling home from a nanny job when the accident occurred.

According to police, Chamberlin was riding northbound on the shoulder of SR-305 at 1:38 p.m., Aug. 1, when she veered left into the roadway and was struck by a minivan.

The accident left her with several broken spinal disks, and broken bones in a foot, leg and hand.

She has feeling in her upper body but it is unclear whether she will regain the use of her legs.

Mary said she is grateful for the community support.

“We really appreciate people keeping her in their thoughts and prayers,” Mary said, “because that’s what’s keeping us going.”

Mary said Chamberlin also had a message.

“She said to wear your helmet,” Mary said. “Because it certainly saved her life.”

Ortiz was injured in a collision on Miller Road less than two hours after Chamberlin’s accident, while island roads were congested from the closure of SR-305 and another collision on nearby Koura Road.

According to a preliminary police report, Ortiz was attempting to make a U-turn when his Honda Accord was struck by a Jeep Cherokee.

Ortiz was also airlifted to Harborview where he spent several days being treated for internal injuries. He was released this week.

Ortiz is the owner of the Salmon Canyon Cafe in Lynwood Center, which has been closed since the accident.

Customers and friends of Ortiz are planning a silent auction and bake sale Saturday at Lynwood Center, to help with his medical expenses.

Organizer Sativa Brown said numerous businesses have donated items for the auction, including gift certificates, concert tickets, spa trips and merchandise. Mud Puddle Coffee will be on hand with its rolling espresso shop.

“We have been amazed by the response,” Brown said.

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How to help

An account has been established to benefit Alyssa Chamberlin. Donations can be made at Wells Fargo bank.

An account has also been established for David Ortiz at Wells Fargo bank. Checks can be made payable to his partner, Shauna Sheridan.

A silent auction and bake sale will be held for Ortiz, Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 4779 Lynwood Center Rd.

Donated items will be accepted from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Saturday.

For more information contact Sativa Brown at (206) 473-8117 or sativabrown@yahoo.com.