Mercer Island Mayor, Jim Pearman, is at home resting after suffering a heart attack Tuesday morning as he was returning to the Island from an early morning rowing workout on Lake Washington. The mayor, 53, said he was just entering I-90 from Rainier Avenue South around 8 a.m. when he felt a terrible pain in his chest. As he drove further along the Interstate and across the bridge, he realized that the pain was not going to stop. He exited the freeway on the West Mercer Way ramp and made his way to the North end fire station, got inside and collapsed. Firefighters tended to him and transported him to Overlake Hospital. Doctors determined that he had had two heart attacks. Surgeons placed two stents in an artery near his heart. He remained in critical care for two nights.

Pearman reached at his home on Thursday afternoon, said that his doctors are optimistic for his complete recovery. He expects to be back rowing and at his place at City Council meetings soon. In the meantime, Deputy Mayor El Jahncke will serve in his stead. He said he is very grateful for the care he received both on the Island and at the hospital.