Friends, family rally to help Greeley woman injured in motorcycle crash
By Joe Moylan, Greeley Tribune, Colo. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Houtchens was en route to Biketoberfest in
"We think it was a possible blowout of the front tire,"
He said the family that contacted him was driving in the fast lane and his mother moved into the slow lane to let them pass.
"As they were passing, a child in the backseat told her parents she saw sparks coming from the front wheel (of the bike)," Houtchens said.
Moments later, Houtchens was ejected from the bike. The family that witnessed the crash stayed with Houtchens for about 20 minutes, comforting her and providing what limited care they could until first responders arrived on scene.
Houtchens was transported to
Houtchens escaped the crash with mostly minor injuries, including scrapes on her head and cheeks, said her ex-husband,
Houtchens did sustain an intracranial hematoma, or a ruptured blood vessel that can develop in the brain or between the brain and the skull as a result of a violent blow to the head. Although intracranial hematomas can be life threatening and often times require immediate surgery, according to the
"Of course, as a family, we are very grateful," said
Despite the positive prognosis,
In an effort to provide
Houtchens was a longtime employee of Allnutt Funeral Service in
"She was always one, when she worked with families, that didn't allow herself to be bound by limitations," Allnutt said. "She worked until she got the job done and, even when she wasn't working for me, she was always the one pulling together fundraisers to help someone else. It's ironic people are pulling together for her now, which is a good thing."
Houtchens' family has been blown away by the show of support. But, at the same time, they're not surprised so many people want to help a person described not only as having a big heart, but also a big personality.
"She is a very social person and a very likable person, but she's also a wholesome person,"
"She's given a lot of herself to the people of the community," added
The benefit for
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