BY: Lou Renz
sdgln.com
A well respected and beloved member of our community needs our help and support to pull through..
(l to r) Erin, Kathy, Chris, Noelle (on a different ride). Kathy and Noelle provided life-saving assistance at the scene
Editor's Note: Last weekend, a long-standing member of our local LGBT community was struck down by a reckless driver as she rode her beloved motorcycle north on Highway 15 near Fallbrook. She was scheduled to lead the motorcycle contingent at the upcoming Pride Parade, but now her many friends and fellow bikers will ride that route for her, as she is now fighting for her life. This is her story, as told by a close personal friend.
On Saturday, July 2nd, Erin Laird, a 54-year-old experienced motorcycle rider and five friends were riding their motorcycles up the 15 near Deer Valley Parkway, on their way to Cook's Corner, a popular biker restaurant and hangout off of the Ortega Highway in Orange County.
The ladies are all members of a larger group of motorcycle enthusiasts who ride together on most weekends and had just returned from a motorcycle tour of the Grand Canyon the previous month.
The six friends were riding together in an organized stagger, taking up one lane -- as all trained biker groups do -- when a white van suddenly swerved across three lanes of traffic and ended up directly in the path of the lead bike, which was Erin.
Despite her strength and experience, Erin had no time to react and could not avoid hitting the van from behind at 60 mph.
The San Diego Union Tribune reported on Saturday that Erin was "thrown to the pavement" and received "compound fractures to her left leg extending into the left pelvic area, as well as a break in her left arm."
The other riders behind Erin did have enough time to react and were able to maneuver out of the way of the crash without losing control of their motorcycles.
Luckily other drivers also saw the accident up ahead and were alert enough to avoid hitting Erin and the others, as they stopped and scrambled to help her in the middle of the highway.
ANGELS IN WAITING
Two of the riders, Noelle and Kathy, are experienced nurses and after coming to a stop themselves, ran to aid their friend, who had already lost a great deal of blood from her extensive injuries. As her friends battled to help her, two anonymous witnesses called 911 and helped shield Erin from traffic and onlookers with a blanket.
Erin was taken by ambulance to Palomar Medical Center where she underwent lifesaving emergency surgery. She needed a large amount of replacement blood due to the severe nature of her injuries.
The driver who caused the accident was given a field sobriety test at the scene and was described by CHP officers as "extremely fatigued." He was driving unlicensed and it is believed he fell asleep at the wheel and drifted across the three lanes of traffic unknowingly.
The accomplished surgeons and nursing staff at Palomar enabled Erin to fight for her survival. Her two primary doctors are ex-military combat surgeons who coincidentally served overseas alongside Noelle, whose own nursing skills at the scene -- along with Kathy's -- without a doubt helped save Erin's life.
Erin has undergone several subsequent surgeries to stabilize her broken pelvis, femur and left arm.
Her internal injuries are under constant care and she will require further surgeries and procedures over the coming days and weeks. Her mom and brother flew down from Oregon to be at her side and continue to provide bedside care and comfort for her.
A BAND OF BIKERS
The motorcycling community always pulls together at times like these.
Erin was due to lead the motorcycle contingent in the San Diego Pride parade next weekend. Fellow riders and friends will still be riding and will wear red, Erin's favorite color, as well as tee-shirts with her image on them, as a way to show their love and support for their biking sister.
The parade will be filmed from the back of a bike so that Erin can watch it when she is well enough.
Erin belongs to a large extended biking community and an even wider group of friends. She is very well known and loved within the San Diego area. The outpouring of love and affection towards her and the other women on the ride that day, has been overwhelming and yet is completely expected.
Just as with the tragic Saddletramps ride from last year, biker groups from all around San Diego county have reached out to offer help, support and blood.
Members of both the Womenmoto and the Women in the Wind (Sol Sisters) motorcycle clubs who know and have ridden alongside Erin many times, have been a great source of comfort to their fellow riders and friends.
On the 4th of July, just two days after the accident, many of the women from these two clubs came together at Erin's home to share each other's company and to process their thoughts and feelings regarding the accident, its causes and outcome. They will continue to support each other and Erin throughout the whole of her recovery and beyond.
HOW YOU CAN HELP AND SUPPORT ERIN
All of those who know and love Erin are asking you to help us make her recovery as comfortable and speedy as possible, so she can soon be back in the community with those who enjoy her company so much.
Those wishing to help by donating blood can contact the San Diego Blood Bank directly and use the blood group code of "EL03" in Erin's name. She required a tremendous amount of blood and the blood banks are always in need. Any blood type is welcome and will not only help sustain Erin's needs but also replenish the blood bank in her honor.On Thursday, Erin's friends received an email from a woman named Nancy, who identified herself as the witness who stopped and offered help on the roadside after the crash. She has not stopped thinking about Erin since the accident and got in contact to offer her support and friendship not only to Erin, but all of Erin's friends, and in particular, the girls on the ride that day.
A Facebook page called Erin Laird - Road to Recovery has been set up to keep friends and well-wishers in touch with Erin's progress and care.
A bank account will also soon be set up in Erin's name to aid in her living expenses. She is a self-employed interior designer and will incur a tremendous loss of earnings while she is recovering in the hospital.
Financial donations for Erin's welfare will be collected at the motorcycle registration area (near Gossip Grill) prior to the Pride parade.
In addition, SheBiker clothing and apparel will be available at the registration area, with $5 from every visor, ballcap and tee-shirt sold generously being donated toward her living expenses.
The ladies of Flawles have kindly offered to host an event and donate a portion of the proceeds, as Erin attended many of their parties and always had a great time.
Many other fundraising events have also been suggested and are in various planning stages. Information will be forthcoming as soon as it is available. If you have other ideas or just want to help, email Lou Renz at loop2lou@hotmail.com.
One of Erin's roadside "angels" now has a name, and Nancy has hundreds of new friends who all want to thank her for helping their dear friend.
With the summer upon us and with Erin's recovery just starting, we are calling this the "Summer of Love," and our efforts to help ease Erin's pain and recovery, "Save the Polar Bear," after a nickname that comes from a combination of her Alaskan roots, her hugs and her beautiful silver hair.
Erin is a much loved character with a zest for life, a huge heart and a love for everyone. Friends and family describe her beautiful smile and the laughter that always accompanies it and they look forward to the day they will hear it again.
Morgan M. Hurley, Assistant Editor for SDGLN, contributed to this report.
