The Sacramento State physics professor who was hit by a truck last February is restricted from driving, but still has high hopes of returning to teach in the fall.

Professor William Thornburg, 70, has been in and out of the hospital since the Feb. 7 accident.

Thornburg had returned to teach in April when doctors found a blood clot on his brain, and hospitalized him. He was advised to take the semester off.

He went in for his fourth CAT scan Wednesday to see if the clot is gone.

Thornburg said that his surgeon has ordered him not to drive temporarily.

“I?ve been grounded from driving. Not driving is driving me nuts,” Thornburg said.

Thornburg also said that his doctors won?t allow him to do any more exercising that walking.

“I walk everywhere now. I?d like to get back into a more intense exercise regime,” Thornburg said.

Thornburg?s medical bills have continued to skyrocket into tens of thousands of dollars.

He said the driver?s insurance has covered the bills thus far.”My insurance person wasn?t sure where the cut-off will be. I should be fine, even if it were to stop paying tomorrow, I have my insurance and then I have applied for worker?s comp,” Thornburg said.

Thornburg said that he and his wife still haven?t made a firm decision whether to pursue legal action or not.

“If I don?t have to take that route, I don?t want to. It really depends on whether or not I have a lifelong disability,” Thornburg said.

Thornburg said that he is blown away at how much kindness the university has shown him.

“I have been treated exceptionally well by everyone. Staff even donated their sick days to me,” Thornburg said.

He said that he is surprised at how good he feels, considering the accident.

“My wife is a physician and she is amazed. I have never even had a headache.

“My shoulder is still separated, so I won?t be swimming butterfly,” Thornburg said.

Thornburg hopes to be back to teaching full time in the fall and Sac State students are anxiously awaiting the professor?s return.

“I just want to hear some really good news … like that he is coming back for sure,” former Sac State student Josiah Waters said.

“My chief objective is to start back next semester. I love my job,” Thornburg said.

On the night of the accident, Thornburg was crossing the crosswalk just outside of the Hornet Bookstore when he was struck and thrown 24 feet.

Thornburg suffered a separated shoulder, a concussion, multiple abrasions, lacerations and slurred speech.

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