Surgeon loses part of his arm after car struck him and another runner during Florida Keys' ultra marathon

A Florida surgeon has lost part of his arm after being hit by a car as he ran an ultra marathon in the Florida Keys, when the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

The doctor, identified only as Matt D, is a professional marathon runner and was hit along with another man, as they ran along the shoulder of the road during the 100-mile race from Key Largo to Key West, during the competition last weekend. 

The second man who was struck by the sleeping driver, is a professor at the University of Miami and also an avid runner.

Both men are now hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center after suffering serious injuries. 

Florida Highway Patrol said a 23-year-old woman was behind the wheel of a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica when the accident occurred.

Matt D, a Florida surgeon has lost part of his arm after being hit by a vehicle as he ran an ultra marathon in the Florida Keys

A second man who was struck, Gabriel, is a professor at the University of Miami 

In Matt D's case doctors were forced to amputate part of her husband's right arm. He may never work again as a surgeon as a result of the devastating injury.

'This was supposed to be a fun event, we were hoping to have a family vacation and it has destroyed our lives for as long as we will know it,' his wife, Sara, said to NBC6.

The family is struggling to understand how such a horrific accident could have happened during what was an organized race.

'They were part of an official race, all I know is they weren't on their own, they were part of an organized event and I don't comprehend the details. Why? How?' Sara asked.

'In our experience all of these ultra races if there's any kind of vehicles involved usually the roads are closed off to vehicles so I don't really understand what the car was doing there,' Sara said.

As for Gabriel, it is likely that he too will lose some function in his right arm. 

This was supposed to be a fun event, we were hoping to have a family vacation and it has destroyed our lives for as long as we will know it,' Matt D's wife, Sara said

The doctor, identified only as Matt D, is a professional marathon runner

Doctors were forced to amputate part of surgeon Matt D's right arm. He may never work again as a surgeon as a result of the devastating injury

Both wives believe the accident could easily have been prevented.

In some sections of the race, cones and signs warn drivers to be on alert, but Gabriel's wife claims there were no warnings whatsoever when her husband was hit.

The two men were running south on U.S. 1 at the time on the east shoulder. 

But race director Bob Becker said only certain portions of the race course are coned off.

'Seven Mile Bridge is coned, not the entire course. It never has been and there has been no comment ever to that effect,' race director Bob Becker explained.  

The Florida Highway Patrol say the driver who hit the men had left the travel lane to the right, resulting in the front right of the vehicle colliding with the first runner. 

The vehicle then reportedly continued north and collided with the second runner, before coming to stop on U.S. 1's right hand shoulder.

The report said alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Some on social media commented that such an accident was likely waiting to happen.

'The reality is that A1A is a narrow, busy two-lane road and there are no sidewalks along most of it. Not the wisest place for a race,' wrote one commenter.

'Unless they completely close the road to motorists, how can you prevent this from ever happening again?' added another.

'It's a beautiful ride but narrow roads for sure and cars go over the speed limit... I don't understand why a driver would go fast near a bunch of runners that's extremely stupid people don't pay attention... praying for the two runners,' said a third.