Oscar Pistorius' Brother Carl Makes 'Miraculous Recovery' After Crash

Oscar Pistorius's brother Carl, who was involved in a head-on vehicle accident Aug. 1, has made what some called a "miraculous recovery" and has been discharged from a hospital intensive care unit.

Pistorius family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess told AFP that Carl Pistorius, 29, the older brother of the Olympic athlete currently on trial for murder in South Africa, will likely remain in the hospital for several more weeks.

The accident occurred about 75 miles northwest of Pretoria.

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"Carl suffered poly-trauma injuries during the accident," Burgess told AFP. "These included lacerations to his heart and liver and he also went into respiratory failure. He has made a miraculous recovery after specialist care intervention and was discharged from ICU late last week. Carl is overwhelmed with gratitude for the support he has received from family, friends and the public."

Carl Pistorius had been supportive of his brother, 27, during his trial but missed the closing arguments because of the accident, according to South Africa's Eyewitness News.

Eyewitness News reported that Carl Pistorius will likely be sent to a rehabilitation facility once he is released, meaning that he may miss Oscar Pistorius' verdict on Sept. 11.

In 2008, Eyewitness News wrote that Carl Pistorius was acquitted of culpable homicide charges in connection with an accident with a motorcyclist who died in the collision.

The motorcyclist crashed into the back of Carl Pistorius's pickup truck as he overtook another car on a rural road outside of Vanderbijlpark on March 8, 2008, and died several days later, according to the Telegraph.

Carl Pistorius had told reporters last year, according to The Telegraph, that he was considering bringing a malicious prosecution case against the state.

Oscar Pistorius is on trial for fatally shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, after a Valentine's Day argument in 2013. Pistorius has said the shooting was a mistake.

Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder, but he could also be sentenced to a shorter prison term if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing.

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