Almost four months after being seriously injured in a freak bucket-truck accident, Limestone County’s District 1 commissioner-elect says he’s nearly back to his old self.

“I was never 100 percent to begin with,” said Daryl Sammet with a laugh, “But, I’m doing great and I’m ready to go.”

Sammet and Mays Memorial Baptist Church Pastor Shane Reyer were seriously injured June 24 when a cable securing the bucket to the boom of the truck snapped and slammed the men to the ground. The men were in the bucket conducting a vacation Bible school activity when the accident occurred.

The malfunction dumped both men onto the parking lot of the church. Reyer struck his shoulder and head in the fall, but Sammet — who suffered a skull fracture, broken jaw and eye socket, and damaged sinus cavities — fared even worse.

After being released from the hospital, Sammet endured a long recovery at home. He suffered from light sensitivity, so he mainly stayed indoors and out of the sun.

“I’ve just been taking it easy and doing what the doctors tell me,” he said. “I ain’t hit a lick at a snake.”

Despite his serious injuries, Sammet concedes it could have been worse. He still has a “bad taste” in his mouth and a few loose teeth from his broken jaw.

He wanted to thank everyone in the community who visited or took time to check on him.

He’s now setting his sights on November and being sworn in as a commissioner.

Sammet defeated current District 1 Commissioner Stanley Hill in the June primary election and had no Democratic opposition.

He said he had not yet reviewed the budget approved by the commission at its Sept. 17 meeting because he wanted to wait until he was sworn in. He knows his top priority, however.

“Infrastructure is our main thing, but it looks like we’ll have to do something to increase our revenue,” Sammet said.

He knows a few of the workers employed at the District 1 shed and looks forward to getting to know them better.

When asked if he had any idea what caused the accident, Sammet said he had a few ideas, but no conclusions. Prior to winning election to his new job, Sammet owned and operated a tree-trimming service. He had used the truck for 15 years without incident.

“I guess it just waited until I had a preacher in there with me to act up,” he said with a laugh. “Accidents will happen; I just wish this one had happened over some grass.”