Motorcycle Crash Victim Who Fought To Save Leg Headed Home

OAK FOREST, IL — An Oak Forest native who captured the attention of thousands as doctors fought to save her leg following a motorcycle crash is on the mend and almost ready to be discharged, she told Patch Tuesday.

Autumn Majeski, 28, last week underwent her 10th surgery since the crash—a large, involved skin graft to help repair severe damage to her leg caused when analleged drunk driver struck the bike she and her husband were on May 30. She's now headed home to her husband Jeff and their 5-year-old twins, Jettson and Oaklyn.

"I started to tear up when my orthopedic surgeon and plastic surgeon said they have no problem with me going home this week or even possibly tomorrow," Majeski told Patch Tuesday. "I was in disbelief with tears in my eyes I said 'I get to see my babies?' (My kids aren’t babies anymore but they’ll always be my babies). They said yes, and I profusely thanked them and hugged my husband and cried tears of joy."

Majeski, a lifelong Oak Forest resident and beloved team member at Marcotte's Bar and Grill, has had a long journey to recovery since the crash, which left her with extensive damage to her leg and foot. Her husband also suffered a broken foot in the crash when their motorcycle was struck by a car near 174th and Oak Park Avenue. The driver of the car—a 59-year-old Oak Forest man and accused drunken driver—faces two counts of aggravated DUI.

Majeskis' injuries included a broken femur, tibia and fibula and a crushed foot, all in her left leg. Much of the skin around her ankle was also stripped from her body or badly damaged in the crash, and doctors have been struggling to repair it. Rods have been inserted in her femur, tibia and fibula to promote their healing. Doctors attempted a larger skin graft called a "flap," first removing skin from her wrist to elbow and using that as well as blood vessels to try to cover her exposed foot and bones. The graft failed, and the flap died. A second attempt, completed July 6, used skin from her right thigh. If this attempt failed, she would have faced amputation.

"All is going as planned," Majeski said, "which is why I was discharged from the ICU to a normal unit and now talking about being discharged this week!

Her work family rallied around her, starting a GoFundMe online fundraiser in her name as she faced additional surgeries and recovery time.

Eventually she will begin skin grafts on her left forearm and left foot as well, and the external fixator will remain in place for that, she added. A home healthcare worker will also have to visit their home several times a week to change the bandages, Majeski said.

"... but at least I will be home!"