Jaycob was 32 years old when his life changed on May 6, 2022, during a camping trip at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes in Central Washington. It was a weekend of celebrations—his first outing with a new trailer and his niece’s birthday. His parents were preparing to leave for Mexico the next morning to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. They weren’t with him that day, but everything shifted when they received the devastating call about his accident, prompting them to cancel their trip and rush to their son’s side.

Around 5:00 p.m., Jaycob decided to ride his side-by-side over to a nearby campsite. Unfortunately, this was the one time he chose not to wear his chest harness or other protective gear. While Jaycob doesn’t remember the exact cause of the accident, his friends said the front end likely hit a rock, causing the vehicle to roll end over end. Tragically, his face was the first part of him to hit the ground. While the sand absorbed some impact, it wasn’t enough to spare him from serious injury.

American Medical Response was first on the scene. Due to the severity of Jaycob’s facial trauma, they intubated him before transporting him to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, Washington. From there, Life Flight Network was activated to provide critical care and rapid transport to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.

Jaycob’s injuries were significant: he sustained a LeFort II fracture, which involved breaks to his nasal bridge, upper jaw, and eye sockets, requiring the permanent placement of four plates. His jaw was wired shut for two and a half months. He also suffered multiple spinal fractures, leaving doctors unsure if he would ever walk again. Jaycob remained in a medically induced coma for several days. Miraculously, he woke up and was discharged the next day.

He spent the early days of his recovery at his parents’ home but soon regained his independence. Despite lingering back issues and facial numbness, Jaycob has demonstrated incredible resilience. By August 2022, he had successfully completed his Army Physical Training assessment, proving that recovery didn’t mean the end of his active lifestyle. As he puts it, “I wanted to show people that you can be resilient after something like this.” Jaycob continues to enjoy outdoor activities in the Wenatchee, Washington area and works as an E5 Sergeant and Recruiter’s Assistant for the Army National Guard.

Jaycob credits Life Flight Network with saving his life, stating “This company didn’t just provide a service; they gave me a lifeline when I needed it most. They didn’t save my time- they saved my life.”