Bhante Dam Phommasan, a Buddhist monk injured in a traffic collision near Houston, underwent surgery to amputate his leg on Wednesday, organizers of the “Walk for Peace” said.
A representative for the group announced in a Facebook post that the surgery was successful and that Phommasan was recovering as of Wednesday afternoon.
“We are grateful to share that Bhante Dam Phommasan’s surgery to remove his leg has been successfully completed this morning,” the representative said. “He is now resting comfortably under medical care and beginning the healing process.”
The injury stemmed from a Nov. 19 crash in Liberty County. Dayton Interim Police Chief Shane Burleigh said a driver in a white pickup truck failed to stop in time to avoid a pilot car traveling alongside the monks. The pickup struck the pilot car, which then hit two monks, including Phommasan.
The monks are participating in the “Walk for Peace,” a planned 2,000-mile journey across 10 states over 110 days. The group departed Fort Worth on Oct. 26 and stopped in Houston in mid-November.
Following the crash, the remaining monks stayed in the Houston area for several days before resuming the walk. The group is currently in Louisiana.