Jack is Back: High school senior returns home after crash with train

BUXTON, N.D. — A high school senior who nearly lost his life in a car crash on his way to school earlier this fall has returned to school.

Jack is back.

David Knudsvig was there waiting for his wife, Erica, and son, Jack, to get off a plane from Denver.

Tuesday, Nov. 19, marked exactly two months since the accident.

"I'm glad to be home. I haven't been home since September 19th," Jack said.

He did not go directly home to the family farm in Buxton.

He first stopped by Central Valley School, where his classmates and teachers welcomed him home like royalty. He was a member of this year's homecoming court.

"I would like to give a big thank you to 'We Love Jack' shirts, that's me," Jack said to his classmates.

The community has rallied around Jack and his family, since he crashed into a train on his way to school in September.

The train crossing doesn't have arms and David Knudsvig remembers how bright the sun was that morning. He is the assistant fire chief in Buxton and was the first one on scene.

"It's awesome to see him here. When I first went there, I did not know what was going to happen. But now I know he is home and is safe and recovering. I don't think a lot of people get a story to end like this," David said.

Jack suffered a traumatic brain injury, along with other head injuries and does not remember the crash. After a month at Sanford, he was transferred to a rehab hospital in Colorado. Doctors thought it would be months before he returned to North Dakota. It took Jack only a month. Erica Knudsvig estimates he's about 90% recovered.

"Helping me out with my processing skills, a decent amount of weightlifting to be honest. It was just a lot of working on my brain," Jack said.

Jack's friends had a gift for him for his return to school. They raised $25,000, so when he is ready to drive again, he can buy a new car. Jack has a year of therapy to do here at home.

"It felt monumental, I would say. Seeing all the people. All the 'We Love Jack' shirts, 'We got your Back Jack' shirts," Jack said.

One by one, all 200 students gave Jack a high five as they went home for the day. Jack says he is looking forward to chilling on the family farm, spending time with family and friends; just getting back to normal, which includes holding his dog.

"Need more North Dakota in my life. Not a lot of people say that, but I do," Jack said.

Jack plans to return to school after Christmas break and graduate in the spring.