WHAT HAPPENED

In the early afternoon on February 14, 2024, Bronson was involved in a horrific freak accident. On his way to deliver Valentine's Day flowers to his mom on his lunch break (awww), his truck's front right tie rod snapped as he was going downhill at ~30mph. This forced Bronson's truck into oncoming traffic. Faced with hitting a sedan head on or a tree, Bronson chose the tree. That decision caused catastrophic damage. But as he keeps saying, "I'm just glad I didn't hurt anyone else."

Bronson suffered a "dashboard injury" to his knee and hip. The impact of hitting the tree forced Bronson's femur into his right hip, which caused it to dislocate and shatter. His head also hit the windshield. Fortunately, Bronson was wearing his seatbelt.

Bronson was in incredible pain and was rushed by ambulance to Mercyhealth Elkhorn where they reset his dislocated hip. However, medical staff realized they didn't have the capability to surgically repair his broken hip and he was rushed by a second ambulance to Mercyhealth Riverside in Rockford, IL.

Bronson went through emergency surgery Wednesday evening to stabilize his leg to avoid any further injury. Pins were placed in his knee and he was attached to a weighted traction system. In his drugged up stupor, he kept calling it "medieval." (He also thought the nurses were juggling during his surgery.)

Bronson underwent a second, more extensive surgery Thursday morning. His surgeon had to put Humpty Dumpty back together again over the five-hour long procedure. Bronson now has several metal plates and the doctor stopped counting how many screws. He was fortunate to go home from the hospital early Saturday evening.

THE NEED

Bronson cannot work- No bending over. No putting any weight on his right leg. The doctor has said 8 weeks recovery time. Then he'll be evaluated and may have to get physical and/or occupational therapy. With this type of injury, Bronson will likely have to relearn how to walk. The chances of him walking with a limp or having an impeded gait are very high. This injury will likely take six months or more to heal from and it will cause a lifetime of issues.

Bronson has to change careers- Bronson has worked in construction the last few years but after this injury, this will no longer be possible. The doctor said, "Absolutely not, find a new career. Nope," then vigorously shook his head. Bronson's hip will be too fragile and he's at major risk of repetitive dislocation now.

Bronson side swiped another car- The car he was trying to avoid hitting head on suffered a bit of damage. Bronson has liability insurance but must pay a deductible.

Bronson's truck is totaled- We're talking must be recycled, nothing survived, useless. It took over three hours to extricate the truck from the tree. We've seen it and how he walked away with only a dislocated and shattered hip, is a miracle. The man at the tow company said, "I can't believe he got out of this alive."

Bronson's immediate needs- Medications, prescriptions, a hospital bed, shoes without laces, those grabby things, easy to put on pants, etc. This is going to be and already has been a major lifestyle change. Bronson cannot bend over AT ALL or put any weight on his leg.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

So many of you have reached out and asked Bronson if he'd set up a GFM. He felt silly but we explained that people want to help because they love and care about him and he should accept their generosity.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out! Thank you so much for all of the love and support! (And if any of the emergency medical or Mercyhealth Elkhorn or Mercyhealth Riverside see this, thank you so much for the excellent care you gave Bronson!)

Selena Lopez

Bronson's sister