Jones thinks he fell asleep at wheel
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones said he believes he fell asleep before his car veered off the H-1 Freeway and struck a concrete pillar in a single-car accident Feb. 22.
Advertiser library photo • Oct. 14, 2000
Jones said he still has no memory of the accident, in which he suffered head and internal injuries. He was hospitalized for nearly three weeks.
June Jones said he's not afraid to drive again.
But he told The Advertiser yesterday that he believes he fell asleep at the wheel while driving from a meeting on the Windward side. The accident occurred near the Honolulu International Airport.
"I don't know for sure, but that's the only thing that could have happened," he said.
Jones appeared at yesterday's news conference announcing a charity event sponsored by National Football League standout Jerry Rice.
Jones, who did not attend UH's recently completed spring football practices, said he undergoes physical therapy five times a week.
"I'm still pretty beat up," he said. "I'm sore. I'm trying to do some things to get better, but it's going to be a while."
During his rehabilitation sessions, he lifts weights and walks.
He said he worked on hitting golf balls with his wedge last weekend, but it will be a while before he can play a round of golf.
"I want to play as soon as I can, but I'm still in a lot of pain," he said. "As soon as I can hit it, I'll hit it."
He said for the last week he has been going into the office for two hours each day before going to his rehabilitation sessions.
But, he stressed, "I'm not really back. It'll probably be a month and a half before I'm back on the job."
Jones said he received a new car on Monday and has started to drive again. He said he had no anxiety getting behind the wheel again.
"As long as I don't fall asleep, it won't be hard," he said.
