Originally published October 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 3, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Rider to stay hospitalized for weeks, surgeon says
The Maple Valley woman who survived more than a week trapped in her car without food or water faces weeks of hospitalization before returning...
Seattle Times staff reporter
The Maple Valley woman who survived more than a week trapped in her car without food or water faces weeks of hospitalization before returning home, a trauma surgeon said Tuesday.
Dr. Joseph Cuschieri said Tanya Rider has recovered from kidney dysfunction caused by severe dehydration during her ordeal. But he said that the 33-year-old woman needs several more surgeries for her left leg, which was injured in the Sept. 20 crash.
Rider, who was found Thursday strapped upside down in her crumpled SUV in a Renton ravine, is struggling with psychological problems caused by the crash, Cuschieri said during a news conference at Harborview Medical Center.
"She is still pretty exhausted. She's starting to recall what happened to her," Cuschieri said.
Rider was listed in satisfactory condition Tuesday at Harborview. Her condition fluctuated on Monday because of surgery on her leg.
Rider was last seen on the morning of Sept. 20 when she finished her shift at a Bellevue Fred Meyer store. Her husband reported her missing two days later, but a search wasn't launched until later in the week because a misunderstanding over activity on her bank account prompted detectives to believe she wasn't in distress.
In addition, it took detectives several days to receive permission from Rider's cellphone-service provider to gain access to phone records that ultimately led them to her location.
On Tuesday, Tom Rider said he planned to go to Olympia to deliver a letter to Gov. Christine Gregoire to explain why cellphone-privacy policies almost cost his wife her life. Though the King County Sheriff's Office requested Rider's cellphone records through Verizon on Sept. 24, it wasn't until three days later — after a warrant was obtained — that the information was released.
He wants Gregoire to require cellphone companies give customers the choice of releasing their records to police without a search warrant, in the case of an emergency.
During Tuesday's news conference, Tom Rider said his wife is "fragile" and has struggled with depression much of her life. He said she doesn't recall the crash.
Rider has been critical of the Sheriff's Office's response to his wife's disappearance, saying it took days before they took him seriously. On Tuesday, after several conversations with Sheriff Sue Rahr, he downplayed his anger and said they are working together.
"I don't want to fight the sheriff," he said. "I just want to move forward."
Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 09:38 AM
Judge affirms Wash. lethal injection method
Chase won't pay for Seattle's Lake Union fireworks next year
Group hopes to build 75-megawatt solar park near Cle Elum
Stalled Bellevue tower site won't be eyesore
The end of the light-line line, for now: Tukwila's "Taj Mahal" station

Gen. David Petraeus: Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Watch highlights of General David Petraeus discussing the Iraq and Afghanistan War at the Global Leadership Series sponsored by the World Affairs Council.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Friday, Jul. 10th
- Kibbn Storewide Summer Sale
- Market Street Shoes and Market Street...
- Tottini Argington Sale
- Show Pony Summer Sale
editors' picks
- Lingerie & naughty shopping
- Outdoors and sporting goods stores
- Pet-supply stores
- Pioneer Square shopping
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Chase won't pay for Seattle's Lake Union fireworks next year
- Mariners Blog | Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik again declines to quell Yuniesky Betancourt trade rumors
- Lawmaker says CIA director ended secret program
- The end of the light-line line, for now: Tukwila's "Taj Mahal" station
- Driver killed, deputy and prisoner injured in head-on crash near Monroe
- Cocoa plant where worked died didn't have license
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
569 - Obama's own party worried health plan lacks votes
353 - Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners: 07/09 game thread
243 - Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik again declines to quell Yuniesky Betancourt trade rumors
183 - Chase won't pay for next year's Lake Union fireworks
142 - World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
129 - Franklin Gutierrez bails Mariners out in a 3-1 win
77 - House Dems want to expand secret briefings
76 - The end of the line, for now: Tukwila is the jewel in the crown of Link
61 - Chase will longer sponsor Lake Union fireworks
57
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Group hopes to build 75-megawatt solar park near Cle Elum
- Grab the kids and hop on Amtrak for a stress-free getaway to Portland
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- During financial crisis, the business of college sports is complicated by Title IX
- Local Smith & Hawken garden stores to close
- Lavender tour on Vashon Island leads round of festivals
- Green River Valley plans ahead for possible flooding




