Abalos in horse accident

Attorney Richard Abalos was in serious condition Monday at Medical Center Hospital after a horse fell on him Saturday afternoon.

“He is doing better, but he’s still in ICU,” daughter Feliz Abalos said.

She said her father was sedated but was aware of the family’s presence. She said the accident happened when he was riding a horse, something he regularly does on weekends.

“It was a newly trained horse, and what I understand is he pulled back on the reins too hard, he fell and the horse fell on top of him as well,” Feliz Abalos said.

Feliz said Richard did have internal bleeding that led to the removal of a kidney.

“We’re thankful he’s doing good today,” she said Monday.

Richard’s wife, Delma, said the accident occurred on another person’s property, though she doesn’t know exactly where it occurred because she wasn’t there at the time.

“I was in Houston at the time and my only concern was getting home as soon as possible. Needless to say, I was very upset,” she said.

Delma Abalos said she is pleased with the medical care he’s receiving and things currently appear better.

“All the signs are better,” she said.

Odessa College President Gregory Williams said Abalos gave him a great deal of support in getting his footing at OC when he first took over the presidency in 2007.

Abalos is a member of the Odessa College board of trustees and was board president during the 2007-’08 school year.

He also is known as the first Hispanic lawyer in Odessa and spoke recently at the annual Vaquero breakfast about a fellow friend who also loved horses and passed away earlier in 2009. Abalos has served as a key figure for groups like the Tejano Democrats and LULAC.

Williams said the news of the accident shocked him.

“I feel for him and his family and really want to reach out to them to do what I can. Richard is a great individual and board member but also important to this community as a whole,” Williams said. “I want him to have a strong recovery.”

RICHARD ABALOS

>> Richard Abalos is best known as the first Hispanic lawyer in Odessa, coming to the city in the early 1970s after being drafted into the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General division.

>> He is or has been active in numerous community organizations including the Odessa College board of trustees, Pan American Golf Association, LULAC, Tejano Democrats and Hispanic Heritage. Former Gov. Mark White appointed Abalos to the Texas Youth Commission.