A Year After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident, Trevor is Defying the Odds

When Faith Jackson and Paul Jackson walked into the Emergency Department at St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC) in Tacoma on Feb. 1, 2024, they were in complete anguish. Their son, Trevor, had been in a horrific motorcycle accident. They thought they were going to say goodbye to him that day and hearts were shattered. What they found instead, was hope.

“When we got to the ER there was a team of people trying desperately to save his life,” said Faith. “Immediately, we were comforted by nurses, a Chaplin, and we got to meet the doctor. That was the first real breath of hope that I had felt. Trevor was still alive.”

The morning of the accident, Trevor and his mother were sitting at their piano, singing and enjoying a peaceful moment together before he headed out for a ride on his motorcycle. “Ride safely,” his mother said as he walked out the door.

Trevor put on his helmet, started up his motorcycle and rode off down the street.

A couple hours later, his mother received a phone call from Trevor’s brother asking if she knew where he was. She looked at his location on her phone and noticed something wasn’t right. Trevor’s location was marked in the middle of an intersection, not moving. Frantic, she called his cellphone, but he didn’t pick up.

Her oldest son was working so he had a friend drive to the location. Bright flashing lights and police tape were marking off a horrifying scene.

Faith picked up the phone when her oldest son called. “Officers said he didn’t make it,” she remembers him saying. Faith started screaming and praying, distraught by the news and in utter disbelief.

They found out Trevor had been transported to the emergency department at SJMC, and got to the hospital as soon as they could.

Jamison Nielsen, DO, a trauma surgeon at SJMC, was one of the first individuals to speak with their family. Faith said he was a calm and confident presence, and he helped immensely during such a turbulent time. Trevor needed emergent surgery. Faith said they kissed him on the forehead, and then Trevor was whisked away into the operating room.

“Trevor had life-threatening injuries when he came into the emergency department,” said Dr. Nielsen. “His injuries were very extensive.” Trevor sustained multiple broken bones, collapsed lungs, a severe head injury and had internal bleeding.

When Trevor was riding his motorcycle, a car turned in front of him. He hit the car and was catapulted more than 100 feet from his motorcycle. His father said they watched surveillance footage from the accident, and it was like watching a propeller spin through the air.

Trevor’s initial surgery was successful, but he remained in a coma. They weren’t sure if he’d ever wake up from a vegetative state.

The care team didn’t give up though. For three months, Trevor was in the hospital. Their family put their hope in God and the care team. They also prayed immensely.

“I tried to remain hopeful,” said Faith. “Trevor was given a 1% chance of recovery, but I couldn’t believe that. I knew our care team was put into place for a reason. I could feel a tangible godly presence surrounding us, and I knew no matter what happened, I wasn’t alone, and he was going to be okay.”

Over the next few months, Trevor made progress. The family lived by a simple slogan, which still continues to drive them: better every day. Since the accident, that’s what he’s been able to accomplish. Every day, he takes small steps.

Faith said the hospital became like a second home, and the nurses and physicians were like family. Small moments turned into major milestones–and eventually they created a list of goals to accomplish.

Trevor wanted to relearn how to speak, eat and walk.

When they left the hospital, they didn’t get to thank Dr. Nielson for all he and the trauma team had done for them, so they added it to their list of goals.

A year later, they checked those goals off the list with a smile. Trevor walked through the hospital doors, hugged Dr. Nielsen, and said, “thank you for saving my life.”

“I feel so grateful because I know that not every parent gets to see this side of things,” said Faith. “And so I truly hope to use this miracle and Trevor's health to serve other people and to live life joyfully, with kindness and gratitude for those that didn’t get to continue to write chapters in their life.”

Now Trevor is working toward 2-year milestones, which include golfing at Chamber’s Bay and snowboarding.

Dr. Nielsen said seeing Trevor’s family again was moving.

“We don't always get to see the next chapter in the story,” said Dr. Nielsen. “Seeing him walk through the door and talk with us and thank us in person made my day. It's motivating for us to have that in the back of our mind, and shows how important the work that we do is.”

Dr. Nielsen said the emergency department is more than a part of the hospital, he sees it as an extension of the community.

“This is the same community that we live in,” said Dr. Nielsen. “If we didn't exist here, patients would have to travel much further for treatment, and with certain severe injuries that can literally mean the difference between life and death.”

Today, Trevor’s recovery continues to amaze his family and friends. His joyful smile lights up a room, and his positive attitude pushes him to keep going every day.

“I get better every day,” said Trevor, a big smile on his face.

St. Joseph’s Level II Trauma Center serves as the flagship trauma care facility for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Board-certified trauma surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, and registered nurses specializing in emergency nursing and trauma care are able to quickly care for patients with life-threatening injuries close to home.