Castleton State College sophomore Steve Bloomer spent most of the last two weeks in a coma following an April 16 automobile accident. Bloomer, also a Spartan lacrosse player, spent 10 days in a medically induced coma while he underwent surgery on his left leg after being airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, according to his mother, Karen Bloomer.

Doctors implanted rods in his left leg to stabilize his broken femur and tibia. He also suffered a dislocated knee in his right leg, and a broken collar bone, Bloomer said.

“Lacrosse news has been his best orienting feature,” Bloomer commented in a weekend interview. “He has really turned the corner. He’s strong, he’s determined. Things will go well.”

Bloomer, 19, was driving his ’96 Ford Explorer with a female passenger on Bolger Road in Fair Haven and collided with a tree around 7 p.m. on Easter Sunday, according to a state police report. Fair Haven and Poultney Fire Departments arrived on scene to free Bloomer and his passenger and DART (Dartmouth Hitchcock Air Response Team) flew both to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Bloomer’s vehicle suffered severe damage to the roof and doors according to a report by Trooper Chris Barber.

Bloomer’s passenger, a 19-year-old who was not a Castleton State College student, was released from the hospital and is currently in physical therapy.

Lacrosse Coach Dave Wiezalis said that the team decided to hang Steve’s #10 jersey behind the bench for the past few games and wear his number in red (for his high school colors) on their hands.

“Steve is a big portion of the team,” Wiezalis said. “We miss him quite a bit.”

Karen Bloomer said she and her husband, Rick, have been switching day and night shifts to stay with him at the hospital. The Bloomers said one of them will attend the may 4 Athletic Awards night in their son’s absence.

Bloomer underwent another surgery on his left leg Monday and expects to resume physical therapy this week, Karen Bloomer said.

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash and whether or not alcohol was involved.