Man injured in motorcycle crash continues fight at SA hospital

Go Fund Me account established for local family

Cindy Aguirre-Herrera

(Seguin) – It’s been a week since a motorcyclist from Seguin was struck by a semi-truck.

Today, Mike Buddenhagen, 52, continues his fight for life at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Crash, pg. 3

Buddenhagen has been in an induced coma and suffers a brain bleed from a fractured skull, broken ribs, a broken hand, broken pelvis, and broken tailbone. He also reportedly lost his leg on impact.

The man’s sister Angela Hall tells the Seguin Daily News that because the road to recovery will be a difficult one, she has established a Go Fund Me account so that folks can help support both his wife, Meagan and teenager daughter.

“Meagan can’t work because she has to be there with Mike and because she is his voice at this point and she lives 45 minutes from the hospital – a loss of wages as well because he can’t work now and he’s a diesel mechanic and when he comes out of this this, we don’t know how long it’s going to be – he lost his leg – either way the outcome of this story, it’s going to be a lose, lose situation almost for him and financially that can just add to the stress and people’s faith when they are faced with an incident, an accident like this,” said Hall.

Hall says the family is just simply grateful to have him survive that crash. She says after being struck by the 18-wheeler during the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan.15, the fast thinking of Seguin Police Officer Justin Morin was able to save his life by placing a tourniquet on his leg. Officer Morin was patrolling the 2500 block of State Highway 123 Bypass when he witnessed the crash and provided immediate aid to Buddenhagen.

“Oh my gosh, I already left him a message and I literally cried on the phone, and I just told him thank you for being at the right place at the right time. God knew that my brother was going to need somebody like that that had the experience to do what he was able to do, and I told him he was a true hero, and we are just so grateful and thankful. Like I told him, I will never be able to repay him for what he did

for my brother, and he said when he gets better, he’s going to come visit him. He said it was really healing for him too to hear from my sister-in-law because he didn’t know. Once he was taken from flight for life, he goes ‘I’ve kind of had nightmares’ and he goes, ‘I didn’t know what had happened to him so it was bothering him.’ So, it actually helped him move forward with the healing knowing that what he did actually saved a life. We need more heroes like him in this world for sure,” said Hall.

Hall says she knows firsthand of the peace of mind that Go Fund Me accounts can provide to families facing challenges and tragedies. She says it’s a safe way to help those whether you know them or not.

“I have had firsthand experience. I unfortunately lost my 26-year-old son three and a half months ago in a motorcycle accident and he died on the scene and I had some coaches that I work with that started up a Go Fund for me so that I didn’t have to worry about any additional expenses from not being able to work, being able to be present, the funeral expenses, all of the expenses that came up with that and I know how expensive it was and how much of a blessing it was for everybody that came together for me to do the Go Fund Me. It literally changed the experience when you are trying to deal with an accident –something that you can’t prevent. So from going through my own experience, this is just one of the fastest ways that I figured that we could help and everybody could join together and whether they donate $10 or $20 or they donate whatever they feel called to donate or share the Go Fund Me because it’s a long road to recovery and we just don’t know the extent of what’s happening and what’s going to take place moving forward,” said Hall.

Those wishing to give are asked to search for the Budman’s Recovery Journey page on Go Fund Me or click on this direct link.