Man brought back to life after bar fight in Fresno running half marathon
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man who was brought back to life in the parking lot of a Fresno bar after a fight- will achieve a huge goal this weekend. Nick Burriel is running his first half marathon.
Nick is finding success is easiest, doing the things he loves. From skiing to water sports, he even hiked 7,000 feet up Tehachapi Mountain, and after making it to the top posted on his Instagram, "I feel so alive for the very first time." This weekend, he will reach another big milestone.
"I am very nervous about it because I've never done that type of run before ever in my life," said Nick.
The soccer loving 27-year-old will travel to Oakland Sunday to run a half marathon.
Nick Burriel Sr., Nick's father, said, "What Nick has told us is that when he is running, he feels, for lack of a better word, he feels normal. That he has control and he is running and he feels free."
For the past year, Nick has dedicated his life to becoming independent and self-sufficient at the Center for Neuro Skills Facility in Bakersfield. The program provides an apartment and learning begins from the moment he wakes up.
"I'm doing really great, I'm doing really well, and I'm loving it here. I'm having a great time here," said Nick.
A bar fight in late 2013 left Nick clinically dead in the parking lot of the Elbow Room Bar and Grill. The man arrested for the crime is set to go to trial next month. Nick doesn't remember what happened but the results have left him with a traumatic brain injury and practicing many of the same skills each day.
"Right now, he's really focusing now on the academic side of what he's lost and working hard toward getting back that memory and loss that he had from the injury," said Nick Sr.
Nick uses the discipline he has in sports to inspire him in other areas.
His next athletic goal is to run a full 26-mile marathon in April.
