“I died instantly,” Springfield man recounts motorcycle wreck that left him with traumatic brain injury

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A Springfield man is sharing his story of battling a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being in a severe motorcycle crash back in June 2023. He gave details on his own experience for Brain Injury Awareness Month .

According to the Springfield Police Department, Nic Gilardi was driving his motorcycle westbound on Sunshine when a vehicle driving eastbound went to turn into Rapid Roberts at 3351 East Sunshine. That’s when Gilardi was hit by the vehicle. The crash happened just before 11 p.m. on June 22, 2023.

Gilardi was rushed to the emergency room and spent a couple of months recovering at Mercy Hospital. He was also treated by CoxHealth medical staff. Gilardi shared his story of what happened that night.

“I died instantly, then died three more times at the hospital, and was in a coma for seven weeks,” Gilardi said.

Nic's younger brother Tomaso holding Nic's hand while in the hospital. — Nic’s younger brother Tomaso holding Nic’s hand while in the hospital.(Gilardi Family)

He also said he had a plethora of injuries from the wreck.

“I had a traumatic brain injury, broken clavicle, broken radius. They were going to take my left leg because it was so messed up,” Gilardi said.

His dad, Nicola Gilardi, talked about what doctors said to him once they arrived at the ER.

“They tell me there is not that much they can do pretty much so you felt like the world was falling off of you and you feel helpless,” Nicola Gilardi said.

He recalled how he felt after he heard about the crash.

“The day after what happened, my son was still alive, and I told my wife I said, “Honey, it’s going to be a very long road,” Nicola Gilardi said.

Nicola and Monica Gilardi beside Nic Gilardi in the hospital.(Gilardi family)

Nicola said he and his family are just blessed that they had a road since many victims of TBI’s don’t get as lucky as his son.

After spending a couple of months with doctors and nurses at Mercy and Cox Hospitals, Nic was transported to Craig Hospital near Denver, Co., where medical staff specialize in treating patients with TBIs.

“The first time I actually cognitively remember waking up and looking up was being put on the plane to Colorado for rehab. My dad explained to me kind of what had happened, and I said that doesn’t make sense. I have to be at work on Monday,” Nic said.

Once at Craig Hospital, Gilardi went through extensive therapy that got him moving again. He had to relearn walking, talking, eating, drinking, etc. He said his dad, Nicola, mom, Monica, and younger brother Tomaso were his biggest support systems during this journey.

“My family really did save me because when I did wake up I literally had nothing,” Nic said. “I couldn’t talk, couldn’t walk, I was just like a vegetable in a wheelchair. I couldn’t do anything.”

Nic said after about two months of rehab at Craig Hospital, he was released and was able to finish treatments at home here in Springfield.

“I got very lucky. I think I had a less than 2 percent chance of living, probably lower chance of walking or being functioning,” Nic said. “I should have a lot of symptoms from this brain injury. I should have different personalities, different feelings, emotions, and opinions. I’m the same guy.”

Even today, Nic said he still does exercises to keep his body and mind working. We also asked Nic if he’d ever get on a motorcycle again.

“I mean, maybe in my life in the next 60 years or something, I might get back on one, but I’ll never own one and ride one around town ever again. It was the best time of my life, but it wasn’t worth the last almost year of my life having to rebuild everything,” Nic said.

We also confirmed with the Springfield Police Department (SPD) that the cause of the crash was “failure to yield by the vehicle and possibly speed by the motorcycle.” SPD also said no charges have been filed at this time.

Nic and Nicola Gilardi reiterated how blessed their whole family has been since the wreck. They thanked the doctors and nurses at Mercy Hospital, CoxHealth, and Craig Hospital. The family also said they couldn’t have gotten through this dark time without all the community support.

Nic has returned to his job here in Springfield and is still on the mend today. He said he still enjoys working with cars and buying artwork, and he exercises regularly to improve his health every day.

Source: KY3 is the Place to Be