Crime & Safety

Hospitalized Long Valley Bicyclist Released, 'On the Mend'

Allison Schmitt spent nearly two weeks in the hospital after hitting her head during a fall from her bike.

Allison Schmitt was riding her bike along West Valley Brook Road nearly two weeks ago when, suddenly, everything went dark and her life changed in an instant.

Schmitt fell from her bike and hit her head, according to police, and needed to be taken by helicopter to Morristown Medical Center. There she remained for days in critical condition, needing surgery on her head.

Schmitt was strong enough to leave the hospital this past Saturday, and is now undergoing physical therapy at Kessler in Chester, according to her husband, Rob.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“She is recovering fabulously from the head surgery,” Rob Schmitt told Patch in an email. “She has a broken clavicle, a bruised right arm and every square inch of her body is sore, but her head is clear and she is on the mend!”

While Allison Schmitt recovered at Morristown Medical Center, the community—as it has so many times before—banded together to support its neighbor.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The outreach and support from everyone has been heartwarming and really helped Ali get through this,” Rob Schmitt said. “Ali and I do not have adequate words to describe how helpful the outpouring of love and support from the entire Long Valley community was in helping us get through this very difficult time.”

Schmitt also said residents Kira Trimarchi and Jeff Brown played a major role in comforting the bicyclist at the scene of the crash before paramedics could arrive. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.