Patient Success Story

“I used to absolutely hate motorcycles,” Brittany laughs, recalling the moment she agreed to ride just to surprise her husband. Within an hour, he came home on a bike. “And then suddenly, I was riding every day.” Brittany’s newfound passion for riding became part of her identity. That passion nearly cost her life on a summer evening ride along Piner Road—a quiet, rural stretch in Kentucky where a sharp S-curve changed everything.

A Split-Second Decision, a Life-Altering Crash

Brittany and her husband, Riley, were riding with close friends when the accident happened. “Riley went to overtake the lead, entered the S-curve too fast,” she says. “I tried to help lean the bike, but I knew we were going to crash.”

In the wreckage, Brittany’s leg was shattered from hip to toes. Her liver was severely lacerated. Riley sustained multiple injuries, including a broken elbow. But Brittany remembers what may have saved her life: “My friend Marcus, he’s a pilot—and he knew in that moment to use his belt as a tourniquet. That belt saved me.”

For nearly 30 minutes, her friends kept her calm and conscious until EMS located them and a UC Health Air Care & Mobile Care helicopter transported Brittany to UC Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center.

According to Gina Menninger, Trauma Injury and Prevention Coordinator, “In traumatic situations, immediate action—like applying a tourniquet—can mean the difference between life and death. What Brittany’s friend did was incredibly effective and likely saved her from catastrophic blood loss before EMS could arrive.”

Expert Care, Human Compassion

Brittany doesn’t remember much of her first two and a half weeks in the hospital.

She experienced severe amnesia, unable to recognize even her husband. “I saw Riley’s face and thought, ‘That’s my friend. I know him. That’s my friend.’”

But what she does recall is the way UC Health’s team treated her—with dignity, warmth, and connection.

“Dr. Pritts saved me that first night. And then I had Drs. Makley and Quillin for my liver and still see Dr. Sagi for my bones,” Brittany shares. “But what really helped me heal was the transparent communication throughout my care. Each doctor would talk things through with me before any action was taken. And they didn’t just talk above me—they talked to me like I was their own daughter.”

This kindness was vital, especially as Brittany endured the hardest part of her recovery—not the pain, not the memory loss, not even learning to walk again—but the vivid hallucinations caused by her liver injury. “I believed people were talking badly about me. I couldn’t tell what was real. That was the most terrifying part.”

Her liver required multiple operations to stop internal bleeding. At one point, 60% of it had to be removed.

Incredibly, it has now nearly fully regenerated. “It’s the only organ that grows back,” Brittany says, “and mine has.”

Moving Forward with Purpose

Brittany still faces physical challenges. Her lower leg remains mostly non-functional. “It’s basically a prosthetic attached to me,” she explains, though she finds encouragement in small victories. “My toes still work, so that’s great.”

Her mindset is what propels her. Today, she shares her recovery journey on TikTok and is in the process of writing a book titled ZZZ Gatesville, hoping to inspire others with traumatic injuries or riders recovering from motorcycle accidents.

“We need to stay strong and positive,” she says. “Because the moment you start to think negative, negative things happen.”

Whether speaking with humor about her motorcycle transformation or reflecting with gratitude on her caregivers, Brittany’s message is clear: life is precious, and healing is possible with the right support and care team.

A Community of Heroes

Brittany credits her survival to more than just medicine. From the life-saving tourniquet to the helicopter crew that found them, to the nurses and physicians who made her feel safe in the darkest moments—her recovery was a team effort.

“Every single person at UC Health—doctors, nurses, assistants—they weren’t just doing a job. They were part of my healing process. And I’ll never forget them.”

Stay Positive, Keep Riding

As the anniversary of her accident approaches, Brittany has one message: “If you’ve got a dream, absolutely keep reaching for it. You will reach it.”

She’s not just surviving—she’s living, inspiring, and proving that even after a traumatic injury, you can get back on the road.

Take the Next Step: Ride Smart, Stay Safe

Brittany’s story is a powerful reminder of both the joy and the risks that come with riding. Whether you’re a new motorcyclist or a seasoned rider, safety should always come first.

Read our UC Health motorcycle safety tips and resources here. Because every ride should lead you home.