Please support Brandon Russell as he heals from this tragic accident.
He has a long road to recovery and will have many expenses along the way, including purchasing a vehicle, medical, long-term care and rehabilitation, and out-of-pocket expenses. He will not be able to return to work for the foreseeable future.
When your biggest fear becomes a reality.
A knock on the door at 5:00 a.m. and an officer asks, “Are you the parents of Brandon Russell?” He’s been in a car accident and is being transported to Wake Med on New Bern Avenue. His condition is unknown.”
Our world, as we knew it, was forever changed.
On Sunday, October 26th, at 1:40 a.m., my son, Brandon, was hit head-on by a 16-year-old, impaired driver. He remains in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) with extensive injuries that will require multiple surgeries to repair. I wish the surgeons could fix everything at once, but it’s not that simple or easy. His body has suffered severe trauma and it needs to be stabilized accordingly.
Both of his arms are broken and will require plates and screws. His right leg has suffered (2) compound fractures. The compound fracture in his femur was repaired with a rod and multiple screws. (He needed to be stabilized after this surgery and required multiple blood transfusions.) The lower leg (tibia) compound fracture is currently temporarily stabilized with pins going through his legs attached to external hardware. (The repair of this fracture will be delayed due to excessive swelling.) The ligaments in his right knee were severed above and below the knee cap. (They are temporarily tacked down.) His knee will also require extensive surgery and repair. He also has deep bone contusions and abrasions to his left leg, knee, foot and ankle. (This leg is being monitored closely.) He has bilateral deep contusions to both of his lungs and his left lung had collapsed. He has a chest tube on the left side. He also has a broken rib on the left side. He remains on oxygen at this time. His kidneys have suffered severe trauma and are struggling. His blood pressure remains extremely high, along with his heart rate, as his body is trying to keep up with the demands of the trauma that it sustained, along with the medications that are being given to balance the juggling act of pain management, electrolytes, blood pressure, heart rate, kidney damage, fevers, antibiotics, and excessive edema.
His body is shattered but his faith remains intact.
Thank you to all the first responders who were called to this incredibly tragic scene. They had to use the “jaws of life” to extricate my son from the vehicle. This took more than 30 minutes. A special thank you to Mr. Tom, who was a complete stranger, that prayed with my son while he was pinned in his car. Your act of compassion and kindness helped sustain Brandon’s faith that he would make it out of this alive. He was terrified and was praying to God to give him strength to get through this, and then you appeared. (We hope to meet you soon.)
Please keep Brandon in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray for miraculous healing and for his medical team who will be putting all the pieces back together. (He has received exceptional care!)
Pray for his big sister, Amber. She has been utterly devastated at the thought that she almost lost her brother. She would do anything to protect him.
Pray for his younger brother, Connor. He never thought he would see his big brother in this condition. He looks up to him and feels so helpless right now. He was so looking forward to being coached by Brandon in basketball this fall/winter.
Brandon is facing a long road of recovery and healing, and he needs us now more than ever. Please support him on this journey. It’s our turn to be the light in such hours of darkness.
Please share this link as much as you can.
Please send words of encouragement. (This will mean the world to him and our entire family.)
I will keep you updated, as best as I can, on the next steps of his recovery.
Don’t forget to pray, pray, pray!
Thank you for your support.
Love,
Kathy & Rich
It’s important to keep in mind that this entire situation is very tragic and sensitive in nature. There are three families involved. My family is planning the next surgery for our son, while the other is planning a funeral. (A 14 year old bicyclist, Max Dunham, was also hit and died at the scene.) The impaired driver has a family too, and a court date to attend. Please pray for all the families affected by this tragedy.
There are various reports on this accident.
Holly Springs High brings in extra support after student killed in weekend drunk driving crash :: WRAL.com https://www.wral.com/news/local/juvenile-bicyclist-dead-crash-holly-springs-oct-2025/
"Oh My Soul" - Casting Crowns
“You’re Gonna Be Okay” - Brian and Jenn Johnson
“Into The Sea (It’s Gonna be Ok)” - Tasha Layton
“You Say” – Lauren Daigle