Jonathan Toubin Released from Hospital

The past two weeks have been banner ones in the recovery of my pal and former bandmate Jonathan Toubin, aka the New York Night Train. Just over five weeks after sustaining life-threatening injuries when a taxicab crashed into his Portland, Ore., hotel room on Dec. 8, he was released from the Oregon Health & Human Sciences Hospital Jan. 13.

Jonathan’s accident and the remarkable string of benefits all over the country that followed were the subject of a Jan. 11 New York Times story by Matt Flegenheimer. Thus far, everyone from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Ty Segall to Margaret Cho have performed at benefit shows for Jonathan. Fundraisers continued this past weekend in Cleveland and Chicago.

Last week, the man himself popped up on Facebook for the first time since the accident to say hello and thank you.

“While I still have a mountain in front of me, everyone is very optimistic about the next phase of my recovery,” wrote Jonathan. “As I learn more about what happened to me and all that you have done I am totally blown away by all of your love and support.”

Although he left Austin for New York in 1998, Jonathan maintains a wealth of friendships in town. Whenever he visits, I’m always amazed at how many people run up to give him a hug. Rest assured there will be plenty next time he’s around.