Jun 1, 2024 By John Sacco 7 min read

Chris Shaw was a rising driver at The Meadows in late September, 2021 when, in an instant, his career and life — as he knew it — changed.

Seconds after Shaw pointed filly trotter Willie The Filly toward the final turn at the North Strabane Township harness racing track, the horse in front of him — Susy Finn — caught a shoe and collapsed to the track with her driver, James Dodson.

Shaw and his horse were forced to go over top of their opponents. Shaw was jettisoned from the sulky into the air and he crashed violently to the track on his arm.

The arm and his career laid shattered on the 5/8-mile track.

Spectators, fellow drivers, trainers and those watching the race on simulcast services were horrified and feared the worst. Shaw had an open compound fracture of his humerus and elbow. He also suffered a broken nose, some facial fractures trauma, a couple compound fractures in his back and a bruised lung.

“I couldn’t avoid it,” Shaw said. “I knew it was going to hurt.”

Dodson said Susy Finn’s back leg caught her front shoe and she went straight down.

“I saw a blue streak go by me,” Dodson said. “I jumped up and grabbed my horse and I saw (Chris) laying on the track. I knew he was hurt bad.”

Missy Rothfuss, who at the time was The Meadows’ outrider, was able to corral Shaw’s horse that got loose on the track. Ironically, Willie The Filly, was owned by Rothfuss and husband James.

Track announcer Jeff Zidek turned quickly from calling the race to asking for an ambulance at the head of the turn where the accident occurred. He also informed drivers advancing to the finish line of a horse being loose on the track headed toward them.

It was chaos and concern. Shaw laid motionless.

Brady Brown, Shaw’s good friend and brother-in-law, ran from the paddock onto the track.

“I was hoping he was all right, that he was alive,” Brown said. “I never saw any (driver) hit the ground face first as hard as Chris.”

Shaw’s wife Ashley Brown — fresh out of the operating room at nearby Canonsburg Hospital, where she was assisting as a nurse — pulled her cellphone out and noticed several calls and texts. They alerted and alarmed her.

Her husband, Chris, 38, had been involved in an accident. He was injured and down on the track.

“I just sat down at the desk and pulled out my phone,” Ashley Brown said. “I see all these missed calls. I’m thinking: ‘Is it Brady or Chris?’ I kind of froze. The messages said Chris was awake.

“I left work and when I got to The Meadows, I ran to the turn,” Brown said. “I get there and look and see his humerus (bone) sticking out. His nose is on the side of his face, which was mangled. The helmet saved his life. Then, we learned there was so much more.”

Shaw was taken to a Pittsburgh trauma unit. In addition to the compound fracture of his elbow, Shaw was found to have a dissection of his carotid artery, which also had a blood clot. He had a bruised lung as well.

“There was a clot on the carotid artery and that became the immediate concern,” Brown said. “As a nurse, I probably knew too much. I knew the ramifications.”

A long road

The accident changed the everyday lives of Shaw, Ashley and their daughter, Alexa.

Chris’ recovery and rehab forced he and Ashley, 34, into reversing roles. He had much more at home time with Alexa. Ashley maintained her nursing job and continued to operate and train horses in the Brown Stable at The Meadows.

“The one good thing from all of this is that Chris got to spend so much more time with our daughter,” Ashley said. “It was good for all of us and good for Alexa and Chris.

“She’s into sports and school and she needs to get places.”

A few weeks ago (May 16), more than two-and-a-half years after the accident, Chris Shaw made a triumphant return to the winner’s circle at The Meadows.

He was a catch-driver for Battin Athousand and owner/trainer Roger Hammer — a family friend — in a conditioned trot. 

It was the first win for Shaw since Sept. 28, 2021, which was two races before the accident.

He never doubted he’d come back and drive. The desire could not be knocked out of him.

Others were not so sure.

“Considering everything that happened and all that was wrong, one had to wonder,” Missy Rothfuss said. “Chris had such an unbelievable will. He’s a tough guy. At the moment of the accident. . .”

“It was tough to see him deal with all he had to deal with, to be in ICU. I know he’s tough as nails. As tough as it was, in the back of my mind I knew he would work physically and mentally to get back to being able to drive. I knew it would take a great deal of time.”

Family and friends

Chris and Ashley, Washington residents, are emotional when discussing the help they received and were offered by friends and family. The kindness and concern were overwhelming.

“I went about 30 days not seeing my daughter and it was a few days to understand about all my injuries,” said Shaw, who grew up in Lebanon, PA. “I had to learn how to use my left hand and arm to eat, everyday stuff. They (doctors) told me I’d probably never drive (horses) again.”

Ashley, who is a native of Slippery Rock, said Shaw never complained or lamented his plight. I went through a lot of what ifs and I would have changed places with him if I could.

“He went through 10-12 surgeries. On April 23, they put plates and screws in his elbow and kind of fused it – trying to get him movement. Not long after, the (doctor) tried to manipulate the arm and the elbow just shattered. He needed a total elbow replacement.

“Our friends were great through it all. It’s been tough at times. Money got tight. But our friends had some fundraisers for Chris. We like to make it on our own and not ask for handouts.”

Chris was not going to be denied his chance. He continued to work toward driving again.

“I was not going to stand in his way of doing something he loves,” Ashley said. “I would have been happy if he could get to the point of jogging or training a horse. It’s amazing to me he’s doing what he is doing considering everything he’s been through.

“I will never not be nervous when he drives. But it won’t be because of his ability or that he’s not capable.”

Shaw said the way family and friends rallied around him and his family just leaves him at a loss for words.

“It’s humbling,” he said, choking back tears, “knowing that many people care.”

Shaw’s courageous battle is admired by many at the track.

His first win sparked excitement and joy.

“I knew Chris a long time from around the fair circuit,” Zidek said. “Him winning. . . that was wonderful to see. I’m happy for Chris.

“He was just gaining drives and respect here when the accident happened.”

Said Missy Rothfuss: “I looked at his arm about 10 months after the accident and his arm looked dead. But he is driven. You can’t find many people who don’t like Chris and Ashley. Chris is just a good human.”