Jim Ross’ wife died due to brain injury complications, officials say

Randy Rozek • May 3, 2017

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released a public statement this week regarding the death of famed WWE broadcaster Jim Ross’ wife. Jim Ross wrote a blog post earlier this year about his wife, Jan, 55, who was in a vehicle crash and as a result sustained a brain injury. It was officially […]

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released a public statement this week regarding the death of famed WWE broadcaster Jim Ross’ wife.

Jim Ross wrote a blog post earlier this year about his wife, Jan, 55, who was in a vehicle crash and as a result sustained a brain injury. It was officially determined this week that Jan died as a result of the brain injury she sustained in the crash.

According to  TMZ Sports, the examiner’s office determined Ross died after her Vespa was struck from behind by a car, an article on the Bleacher Report website reads.

TMZ   reported that Jan was struck from behind by a Mercury Grand Marquis. A 17-year-old was driving the vehicle that struck her.

Jan was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with multiple skull fractures. A toxicology report in the case is still pending.

Each year traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 52,000 deaths are reported each year as a result of traumatic brain injuries. An average of 275,000 people are hospitalized with a TBI each year in the United States, an average of 1.4 million people visit an emergency room as a result of a TBI each year, and the statistics of those who receive no medical care or treatment after sustaining a TBI is unknown.

An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually in the U.S.

Falls are the leading cause of TBIs in the U.S. with the highest rates being for children under the age of 5-years-old and the elderly, those older than 75-years-old.

Motor vehicle and traffic-related injuries are the leading cause of TBI-related death. Rates are highest for adults aged 20 to 24-years-old.

There was an increase in TBI-related emergency department visits (14.4%) and hospitalizations (19.5%) from 2002 to 2006.

According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

A severe traumatic brain injury can cause loss of consciousness, fluid build-up, convulsions, seizures, vomiting, nausea, weakness and numbness in limbs, coma, and death.

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