PONTIAC (WWJ) - After a serious car accident in August, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has returned to work.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Patterson said he can’t recall much about the day of the crash.

“I don’t remember a thing and I’m not trying to go back and reconstruct it,” Patterson said. “I’m sure it was miserable. I’ve seen the picture of the car. I have no idea what happened.

“That was a Friday, I remember that. And I remember, at that morning, I was at the Andiamos in Bloomfield for a unity rally for candidates  That’s the last memory that I have,” Patterson said.

Patterson was asked how he is balancing the job and a re-election campaign with his recovery.

“If I was starting out and facing my first four-year term as prosecutor or my first four-year term at County Exec, I’d be in a lot of doo-doo, having missed the whole campaign season,” Patterson said. ”I’m ending my 20th year; people know me. I’ve been well vetted by the voters. I’ve seen some polls that my campaign has done … my name ID is about 98 or 99 (percent).”

Patterson said he never really left work, and even though his managers have the authority to make decisions, Patterson still reserved the right to break ties and make policy.

Both Patterson and his security officer and driver, James Cram, were seriously injured in the Aug. 10 crash in Auburn Hills. The other driver, 31-year-old Anthony Prainito of Royal Oak, is facing three misdemeanor counts for the crash.  He pleaded not guilty and could face jail time if convicted.

Patterson, who suffered injuries to his wrists, leg and hip, has lost a significant amount of weight. He is temporarily using a wheelchair.