Christiansburg man talks about a terrible motorcycle accident and those responsible who saved his life

An incredible story of survival; It’s been eight months since a Christiansburg man’s life was changed forever after a horrific motorcycle accident. Thanks to rapid emergency care at Lewisgale Medical Center, a newly recognized Level 2 trauma center, he is rebuilding his life and back to the job he loves. LewisGale celebrated him and other trauma patients Wednesday in honor of National Trauma Survivor Day.

Always stay positive.

When it comes to overcoming tragedy, what matters most is perspective. 29-year-old Elijah Seth Lawson has maintained a positive outlook on life, being grateful for what he has and not focusing on what he has lost.

“I try to keep a good attitude. “I’ve never been one to keep a low profile or be aware of anything,” Lawson said.

He’s alive and back in the job he loves. He works as a mechanic at Shelor Motor Mile in Christiansburg, a career he fell in love with because of his father and uncle.

“It’s kind of a family thing and as a little kid I was always fascinated by watching them work on cars. If something is broken, fix it. This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Lawson said.

A man fascinated by being able to “fix things”. Lawson now finds irony in his own circumstances. Suddenly he realized that he needed to be repaired.

“I tell everyone that I’ve wanted to be part robot since I was a kid, so now I get to be part cyborg,” Lawson joked. He refers to a massive hip repair and a prosthetic leg.

August 17, 2023 – the night of the accident

Lawson has been an avid Harley-Davidson rider since he was old enough to get his driver’s license.

As I was driving through the town of Christiansburg one night last August, the unthinkable happened at an intersection near the Montgomery County Courthouse. He said the traffic light wouldn’t register the weight of his bike to turn green. After waiting, he took a chance.

“I guess I didn’t look good enough. “I was just looking and when I pulled out, unfortunately I got out right in front of the car,” Lawson said. He was awake the whole time. He was in shock and quickly lost a large amount of blood. But it took him a moment to realize what had actually happened.

But that was not all. His hip was broken and his bladder was badly damaged. He lost two liters of blood while lying on the street. Fortunately, two off-duty officers happened to be on scene to assist with immediate care and bandage his leg with a tourniquet. An ambulance soon took him to LewisGale in Salem.

“When they had me operated on, I woke up three days later,” Lawson said.

His foot was too badly damaged to be reattached. But surgeons were able to save his life and help him move on to the next step.

“They assured me that everything was fine. It was not so bad. You have great prosthetics at the moment. They really kept me level-headed.” He said one of the doctors who helped him the most was a combat veteran. Lawson said that doctor’s perspective made him realize that the injury could have been much worse and that prosthetics could give him back his mobility.

LewisGale is recognized as a Level 2 Trauma Center

In this case, minutes decided between life and death. Quick emergency care from local people and LewisGale’s trauma team saved Lawson’s life.

Dr. Jaromir Kohout is the trauma medicine director at LewisGale in Salem.

“They want to intervene quickly. You want to intervene within the first hour,” said Dr. Kohout.

It has been almost a year since LewisGale was recognized as a Level 2 trauma center, meaning it is well equipped to care for a wide range of trauma patients.

“We cover everything from falls to gunshot wounds to car accidents,” said Dr. Kohout.

The designation, received in June 2023, made LewisGale the eighth Level 2 center in Virginia and the first in the region, according to the state health department.

The addition of a trauma center will provide patients with greater access to care, particularly in Roanoke and the New River Valley. In Lawson’s case, it saved his life.

“I think the best reward really is a case like this where someone says they wouldn’t be well if they hadn’t received timely care. It is the success and the thanks that keep us going,” said Dr. Kohout.

“I appreciate everything they’ve done and I’m trying to keep as much as I can for myself and make it as comfortable as possible,” Lawson said. He noticed that her reassurance helped prevent him from becoming depressed or depressed about his situation.

“The nurses have been checking me regularly and they are all super nice and kind. I still talk to some of them today. They still check on me regularly and ask me how I’m doing today.”

Lawson is doing great. He quickly got used to the prosthesis and even plans to ride a Harley again. He lives life to the fullest and serves as an inspiration for overcoming obstacles. He hopes to connect with other people who may have lost a limb and need a prosthetic limb so that he can give them the reassurance that life goes on and they can still live their lives to the fullest.

Even though he’s not quite the same as the vehicles he repairs every day, he’s repaired and ready to get back on the road.