By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — The fight to save Jim Lawson's leg hasn't broken his unwavering good spirits.

Lawson has been in the hospital for nearly two weeks after being pinned by a vehicle against a building. A peer support specialist, Lawson was giving a guitar lesson outside a nonprofit that houses recovery programs when the accident happened.

Lawson, 58, of Hayden, remained at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle that jumped a curb in reverse.

"It's looking good, but I'm not out of the woods yet (with saving the right leg)," Lawson said by phone Tuesday from the hospital. "I won't know for sure for another two weeks. It will be September before I'll be able to put any weight on it at all."

Lawson said he's hoping to be released from the hospital this week.

Gar Mickelson, executive director of Kaleidoscope Community Services, a nonprofit that leases the Second Street Commons building, said Lawson remains in pain but has kept an upbeat outlook.

"Jim's faith, pain tolerance and humor have been astounding through this whole ordeal," Mickelson said.

Last week Lawson underwent tissue and skin graft surgery on his leg.

"The doctors are pleased except for a 50-cent piece size of tissue on his shank that has died," Mickelson said. "They will be observing this section over the next couple of days. Every day the chances of saving his leg gets better."

The 80-year-old man who struck Lawson apparently thought he was going to pull forward while parking, but when he stepped on the gas the vehicle was in reverse instead. The driver panicked.

"I don't hold any ill will toward him," Lawson said. "Nobody would do that on purpose. I just don't want to see him on the road anymore."

Lawson said the Subaru Outback struck Lawson’s car twice before the Outback jumped the curb.

"Somebody started to get on him and I watched his back tire go over the curb and onto the sidewalk," Lawson said. "I thought it was over, but apparently he hit the gas instead of the brakes. It came at me too fast to get completely out of the way. I got most of my body out of the way, but it wasn't enough. It was the most pain I'd ever felt."

Police said alcohol does not appear to be a factor and it remains unclear if any charges will be filed.

"We are still working on this case and are meeting with the prosecutor to determine if charges are appropriate," Dave Hagar of Coeur d'Alene Police wrote in an email to The Press.

Meanwhile, damage to the building owned by Dwight Wilson, who also owns the Lakers bar next door, is estimated at $12,000, Mickelson said. Repairs have started after the city and insurance company assessed the damage.

"We hope to begin using Second Street Commons Monday morning," Mickelson said.

First Baptist Church has allowed the morning meal and Bible study conducted by Second Chance Discipleship Ministries to be held there in the interim. The Kootenai Recovery Community Center meetings have been held at City Park.

"We have been contacted by a lot of people who want to help," Mickelson said.

Insurance companies for both Lawson and the driver are expected to settle the bulk of the hospital costs, but Mickelson said an online benefit account will also be established if any costs aren’t covered. He expects insurance will cover most of the building damage.

Lawson said thoughts of returning to work and taking wildlife photos again are helping him mentally.

"I love what I do down at the Commons and want to get back to doing that," he said. "I was ready to come home a few days ago, but have to go through the steps."