An ISU freshman is progressively coming out of a coma after surviving a traffic accident in early November.

Bryan Hooyman, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communication, was driving through an intersection on Iowa Highway 14 north of Marshalltown on Nov. 5 when he was struck by another driver. He collided with a woman in a Ford Expedition who failed to stop at a stop sign on a crossing gravel road, said his mother, Deb.

He was taken to Des Moines’ Iowa Methodist Hospital.

The road to recovery will be long, but Deb said Bryan is making improvements daily.

“He is slowly coming out of his coma,” she said. “He has his eyes open and is able to follow simple commands, but his eyes have a vacant stare. He is unable to communicate.”

Deb said this will get better over time, but they don’t know how much better. She said doctors have given Bryan a 50 to 60 percent chance of achieving independent living.

Friends and family describe Bryan as a very loving and giving person.

“If a friend was sad, he would cheer them up,” Deb said. “If they were lonely, he would be with them. If they needed to talk, he would listen. If they needed help, he would help them.”

The Hooyman family has set up a Web site, http://caringbridge.org/ia/bhooy/, where friends and family can read updates about Bryan’s condition.