On the evening of July 19, 2025, rain began to fall, and Chris decided to wait it out before leaving. Around 9:00 p.m., once the rain eased, he headed home on his motorcycle. What should have been a routine ride turned into a life-altering tragedy.

While rounding an entrance ramp on Highway 74 in Winston-Salem, Chris encountered debris scattered across the roadway. Due to the wet conditions, darkness, and limited visibility, he saw it too late to avoid it. The debris—later discovered to be from a car accident at the same location two hours earlier that had never been cleared—caused him to lose control of his motorcycle.

The impact spun him violently and slammed him into the guardrail. His right leg and foot were crushed between the motorcycle and the guardrail, leaving him pinned beneath the bike. Chris has been riding motorcycles for over ten years and has always prioritized safety—for himself and for others on the road. That commitment to safety, along with the kindness of strangers and divine timing, is what ultimately saved his life.

A young man and his girlfriend came upon the accident shortly after it happened. Chris was trapped and unable to reach his backpack, which contained a first aid kit he always carried. The young man pulled the bag free and immediately applied a tourniquet to Chris’s leg, stopping severe blood loss. He then called 911 and stayed until first responders arrived. We do not know who this young man is, but we will forever be grateful for his quick thinking and courage. If he ever sees this, we want him to know he is in our prayers and that his actions saved our son’s life.

At the emergency room, doctors worked urgently to stabilize Chris and assess the full extent of his injuries. He had fractures to his arm and ribs, extensive damage to his left knee including torn ACL, MCL, and LCL ligaments, and fractures in his right foot. The most serious injury was to his right leg, which was broken in multiple places and required immediate, aggressive intervention. Chris lost a significant amount of blood and required multiple transfusions.

That night marked the beginning of a long and painful medical journey. After initial imaging and emergency procedures, Chris was taken into surgery—the first of nine surgeries he has undergone since July 2025.

In the first surgery, doctors cleaned the wounds and stabilized his leg using external hardware running from knee to ankle. This was a temporary measure to allow his body to recover enough for more permanent repairs. Over the following weeks, Chris underwent multiple additional procedures to remove damaged tissue and prevent infection. These surgeries were critical, as further reconstruction could not proceed until healthy tissue was established. Skin grafts were later required to close wounds, adding to the physical and emotional toll.

After several weeks in the hospital, Chris was finally able to return home. We hoped the worst was behind us—but it wasn’t. He soon developed a severe staph infection running from his knee to his ankle. This required another surgery to remove the internal rod that had been placed in his leg, along with further debridement to remove infected tissue. Temporary stabilization hardware was once again installed to keep his leg aligned.

Chris’s ninth surgery involved the placement of an external fixator, often referred to as a “cage,” which weighs approximately ten pounds. This device consists of circular metal rings connected by eleven bolts anchored directly into the bone. Chris is missing three to four inches of bone in his lower leg. To address this, surgeons used a specialized bone-regeneration process. The healthy portion of his bone below the knee was surgically cut, and the cage is used to slowly move the bone downward—about 1 millimeter per day—to bridge the gap near his ankle. This process began on November 12, 2025, four months after the accident.

Chris will need to wear this device for eight to twelve months until the bone fully regenerates and hardens. During this time, he cannot bear weight on his leg. He was sent home with the external fixator and a PICC line in his upper arm to receive powerful IV antibiotics three times a day to ensure the infection does not return.

Financially, this has been devastating. Chris was placed on short-term disability through his employer, but that coverage ended in mid-January 2026, and he does not have long-term disability benefits. He has accumulated significant medical bills, including expenses not fully covered by insurance and high deductibles. With the start of a new year, he must now meet his insurance deductible again for 2026. Doctors anticipate at least two more surgeries before he can begin the final stages of recovery.

Chris is currently unable to work or walk without crutches. He has no income at this time but must continue paying medical insurance premiums, car payments, and everyday household expenses. He is also a devoted father to a twelve-year-old daughter, who recently needed braces—just one more responsibility he carries despite everything he’s been through.

This journey has been long, painful, and emotionally exhausting. Chris still faces another eight to ten months before the external fixator can be removed. Even then, recovery and rehabilitation will continue. Through it all, he has remained strong, determined, and hopeful. By the grace of God, we believe there is light at the end of this tunnel—but we cannot do this alone.

If you are able to help financially, any amount is deeply appreciated and will go directly toward medical expenses and essential living costs. If you are unable to donate, we ask for your prayers, positive thoughts, and for sharing this fundraiser. Your support—financial or otherwise—means more than words can express.