On October 1, 2026, my girlfriend, Stephanie Weismantle, and I went out on the bike to celebrate her birthday.

What should have been a special day together turned into something neither of us could have imagined.

While we were riding in Pittsburgh, our motorcycle was T boned in a serious collision that changed our lives in an instant.

We were both taken to the hospital, but Stephanie suffered devastating injuries.

The tibia and fibula in her right lower leg were shattered, requiring doctors to perform surgery and place rods and screws to repair the damage. Since then, she has undergone additional procedures to clean her wounds and remove damaged tissue. Most recently, doctors performed a procedure involving muscle tissue to help repair her severely injured leg.

She also suffered road rash and a deep injury above her right eye that required stitches.

Stephanie has already undergone three surgeries and remains in the hospital.

My injuries were not as severe as hers, but I am dealing with significant pain involving my shoulder, ribs, back, neck, arms, and legs, along with road rash. I can walk, but I currently cannot lift anything significant with my right side.

I am an Army veteran and own my own HVAC business. Normally, I would be out working and taking care of my responsibilities, but right now my priority is being beside Stephanie while she goes through this.

Before the accident, Stephanie was preparing to begin a new job caring for adults with developmental challenges. Instead of beginning that new chapter, she is now facing surgeries, rehabilitation, and a long recovery.

The timing of all of this has made it even more painful.

Exactly one week before our accident, Stephanie lost her big brother in a devastating car accident. She was still grieving that tremendous loss when, on her own birthday, she suddenly found herself hospitalized and fighting through serious injuries of her own.

Our family has already endured tremendous heartbreak. Last year, I also lost my 23 year old son.

It has been more loss and pain than either of us ever expected to face, but we are trying to stay strong for each other and take things one day at a time.

Funds raised through HelpVy will help with our medical and everyday living expenses while Stephanie continues her recovery and I remain by her side.

If you are able to donate or share our story, it would mean more to us than we can express.

Derrick Johnson and Stephanie Weismantle ❤️🙏🇺🇸