Naples vet fights for life after cycling accident abroad

NAPLES, Fla.- A beloved Southwest Florida veterinarian is fighting for her life in Majorca, Spain, still in a coma one month after a horrific cycling accident.

Joanne Gonzalez, 36, was cycling along one of the most dangerous hills in the area, known as “The Serpent.”

“She apparently lost control somehow and went over the cliff,” said Stacey Huber, who worked alongside Gonzalez at Animal Oasis Veterinary Hospital.

Huber says Gonzalez went over the handlebars, falling at least 20 feet. She has a broken wrist, ribs and fractures in her face.

“She had been put into a coma over in Spain and then when they tried to take her out of the coma she just sort of continued to stay asleep and she didn’t wake back up again,” Huber said.

Gonzalez now has a respiratory infection she’s trying to fight off, as well as at least $250,000 in medical bills. Approximately $80,000 is also needed to fly Gonzalez back to Naples.

“It’s just going to continue because she’s not going to be able to come back to work as soon as we would like her to,” Huber said.

Doctors say Gonzalez will need six months to a year of rehab.

Huber adds the veterinarian’s position will be saved for her at Animal Oasis, but in the meantime “we are trying to stay positive, we are very focused, we are working overtime.”