Motorcyclist loses leg, HDSP nurse first at scene

August 24, 2018

High Desert State Prison RN Teresa Smith.

When High Desert State Prison (HDSP) Registered Nurse Teresa Smith was on her way to work, she wasn’t expecting to save a life.

Smith was driving around 6:30 in the morning May 24, 2018, when she came across a major motorcycle accident.

“I did not see the accident occur. It looked like a white car (hit) a motorcycle,” Smith said. “I arrived a few minutes after the accident. To get to the crash victim, I walked over a dismembered bleeding leg. The motorcycle rider was lying on the highway by his bike. I shook the young man and asked if he was OK. He said, ‘My leg.'”

The young man, Matt Lively, had lost his leg in the accident. The man was conscious, so Smith reassured him and began taking steps to stop the bleeding.

HDSP nurse provides life-saving care, comfort

“I told him that he would be alright,” she recalls. “Then, I told the young man I was going to put pressure on his leg to stop it from bleeding. I removed my utility belt from my waist, wrapped it around the young man’s thighs, and pulled tight to stop the bleeding. The bleeding stopped.”

About this time, other CDCR staff began to arrive. HDSP and California Correctional Center staff stopped and assisted. They included Dr. Mark Davis, SRN Rachelle Surian, RN Bryan, and CCPOA representative Von Raider.

“I was so thankful for Dr. Mark Davis from HDSP. He helped keep the utility belt acting as a tourniquet,” Smith recalls.

Soon the California Highway Patrol and EMTs arrived, quickly transporting Lively to the hospital.

“RN Rice from HDSP secured, cooled, and wrapped Matt’s dismembered leg for transport,” Smith said.

Since the accident, Smith has been updated on his progress and appreciates the fundraisers which friends, family, and the community have held for Lively.

“I am thankful and proud to work with so many talented people from HDSP, CCC and the community who did so much to help the young man live,” she said.

By CDCR/CCHCS Communications Staff

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