FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Four and a half years ago, a drunk-driving accident dramatically changed the lives of two Fort Collins men.

One was nearly killed, the other went to jail.

These circumstances are not unique, but what has happened since the accident is truly special. Eventually their paths would cross again.

On a chilly spring day, Nate Jorgenson and Shawn Turner greet each other with a strong hug and words of encouragement. The casual observer would have no idea what the two men have been through.

"It was just two people at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Nate.

He was heading home with friends in the early morning hours of Oct. 1, 2004.

"One of the persons in the car dropped a phone out of the car so they pulled over, went over to look for the phone," explained Debbie Jorgenson, Nate's mother.

Nate was standing in the bike lane on Lemay Avenue paying no mind to an oncoming sport utility vehicle driven by Shawn Turner.

"I saw, now I know it was Nate's back, and then it's all blank from there," said Shawn.

Nate was struck from behind at 40 mph and thrown into a ditch.

"He has broken his neck, he had several hemorrhages in his brain, and he was not responsive so they were not sure if he was paralyzed," said Debbie.

Four years later, Nate has overcome a broken neck and brain injury, and learned to walk and talk again. His speech is slow but clear, and he walks with the assistance of a quad cane. When asked if these limitations are frustrating, he said, "No. I'm very glad to be alive."

Shawn had been celebrating a friends' birthday that night, and had been drinking. After striking Nate, he was aware of what happened but did not stop to help.

"What I did is I actually went home and wrote a goodbye note and I had planned on just leaving life," said Shawn.

He drove to a location in his neighborhood and attempted suicide that morning, but his gun jammed. Police found him passed out in his car. Shawn was arrested and would eventually spend three months in jail.

"I really feel that night, for some reason, my life was spared," said Shawn.

At Preston Junior High School, Nate’s mother delivers a presentation to students about the accident.

"We call it choices, consequences, and miracles," said Debbie.

The choice of driving drunk. The consequence of shattered lives. The miracle of forgiveness. Two separate journeys leading to the same destination.

"I have no anger at all. I really think this is a blessing," said Nate.

He believes the accident has given his life purpose.

He and Shawn are now unlikely partners, visiting schools to raise awareness about drunk driving.

"I cannot begin to explain to you how this worked out the way it worked out," said Shawn.

Nate and Shawn are two men who would have likely never met, connected through tragedy. They now share a personal bond and commitment to making good from a bad situation.

"It's always good to see you ... Good to see you also," they said to each other during an embrace.

"The Jorgensons know that they pretty much have a soldier that will work for them for the rest of their lives," said Shawn.

"I will never ever stop. This is just the beginning for me," said Nate.

The Jorgensons started the Shared Journeys Brain Injury Foundation after discovering that there were no resources in northern Colorado for patients at the end of their out-patient rehabilitation. The foundation started a pilot program in November 2008, which is currently treating four patients.

Nate is working to become a personal trainer to inspire and help those who have suffered similar injuries.

You can learn more about their foundation by going to SharedJourneysFoundation.org.