Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas - The distance between his motorcycle and the broad side of a box truck closes quicker than he can form a thought. He doesn’t think, he reacts with front brake, rear brake, no clutch and then his body and his bike slam into the stalled vehicle.
Collin Cox’s life was forever changed by a major motorcycle accident on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.
His reaction to the inevitable collision mitigated the force of the impact but he still sustained several major and life-threatening injuries including broken a pelvis, broken ribs, brain bleed, ruptured bladder, carotid artery trauma and the nerve avulsions.
Cox a desktop technical support contractor for AFIMSC and former Airman, credits the motorcycle safety classes he took when he was on active duty as a major reason why he survived the accident.
Since 2020, 80 Airmen have died due to fatal motorcycle accidents, according to Air Force Safety Center statistics. Although civilian personnel aren’t required to complete training or have active Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool accounts, DAF offers all training courses to DoD civilians, with priority given to active-duty riders.
“Training equips riders with the ability to handle emergency situations, such as executing sudden stops or evasive maneuvers, to avoid potential collisions,” said Michael Hampton, the safety manager at AFIMSC. “By practicing in a controlled environment, riders build confidence in their abilities, which is crucial for safe riding on public roads.”
As an Airman, Cox was required to complete motorcycle training that included initial training, intermediate training, refresher training and a mentorship program.
In the moments before the crash, the muscle memory of Cox’s training rushed to his hands and feet. He knew the appropriate amount of pressure to apply to his front and rear brake as to not be thrown from his motorcycle. He also knew that with the clutch disengaged, he allowed for engine braking.
“I reacted as best I could, I don’t remember anything about the actual collision,” he says.
On the day of the accident Cox was a muscular 195 pounds with less than 10% body fat. He was strong, and he earned that in the weight room as a self-proclaimed ‘gym rat’. He said his physical fitness was also a major factor in his survival.
“The muscle structure I had through my shoulders and neck kept me alive, but the accident still snapped my neck,” he said. “My C4, C5 and C6 were damaged. My C7 and C8 completely came out.
And so started his road to recovery. Cox’s weight dropped from 195 lbs. to 145 lbs. as he worked to heal from the injuries which had him in a wheelchair for more than three months. He currently has very little motor control of his left arm and hand but with a pending surgery to repair nerves and open a line of communication between the brain and muscle, he hopes to get to 50% - 60% mobility back.
“I told the surgeon all he has to do is get my brain talking to my muscle again and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Cox, a self-described “gym rat,” did not have a problem throwing all of himself at his physical recovery.
“I’ve been faithful to my physical rehabilitation but recently I was asked about my mental health and how healthy my mind is during this time,” said Cox. “I’m starting to put time into the rehab you can’t see.”
Cox was out from work for four months and in that time the team at AFIMSC kept track of his journey to recovery and awaited his return to work.
“We made it a point to stay connected with him during his recovery. After his surgery, our primary focus was on his healing and well-being,” said Mason Wilson, an IT project manager and Cox’s supervisor. “I knew the motorcycle accident was a tremendously life-altering event for him, but I was confident it wouldn't change his upbeat personality. I anticipated that upon returning to work, he would have a renewed perspective on the value of life and might share insights from his experience with us.”
The life he brings to work and his team would not suggest that he almost died a few months ago but that’s a testament to his resilience; evidence of a rooted support system. Proof that people endure.
"At AFIMSC, every member of our team is valued, considered family and vital to the success of our mission," said Hampton. "Whether our riders use motorcycles for transportation, work, or leisure, our priority is ensuring that everyone returns home safely."
For more motorcycle safety information, visit Air Force Safety Center’s Occupational Safety Division.