On September 24th, 2024, the Smith family was hit with unimaginable loss when Riley Smith, a 17-year-old high school student, succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific motorcycle accident. In response, two close family friends, Nikki Nowers and Erin Gappmayer, have organized a GoFundMe campaign to support Riley’s grieving family during this heartbreaking time.
The fundraiser’s description paints a vivid and emotional picture of the events that unfolded after the accident. On the evening of the crash, Riley was involved in a devastating collision between his motorcycle and a motor vehicle. He was immediately airlifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where medical professionals worked tirelessly to save his life.
Riley’s injuries were severe, requiring multiple surgeries in a matter of hours. Doctors reattached his right arm, repaired lacerated tendons in his left hand, addressed swelling in his abdomen caused by compartment syndrome, and placed a stent in his only kidney. In addition, they closely monitored a brain bleed and prepared Riley for dialysis and intracranial pressure (ICP) management. To assist family please click here.
Despite these Herculean efforts, there were still other serious injuries that remained untreated, including a fractured pelvis and broken legs. Tragically, the toll of the trauma became too much for Riley’s body.
After a grueling 24 hours, doctors had to pause further procedures as Riley’s condition deteriorated. His blood pressure plummeted to a critical 60/40, and his oxygen levels struggled between 30-60%. Medical staff were able to restore his heart rhythm briefly after he coded in the ICU, but it was clear there was little more they could do.
