Local motorcyclist reunited with first responders who saved him from wreck

By RUBEN LOWMAN

Earlier in the year, in July 2022, Horry County Fire Rescue crews responded to a Little River area two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle, with serious injuries to the driver.

HCFR crews provided exceptional pre-hospital care while transporting the patient, Longs native Cody Lovejoy, ultimately giving the Lovejoy the highest possible chance for a positive outcome, all things considered.

Lovejoy was wearing a helmet while riding his motorcycle on Hwy. 17 in Little River after getting off work. As he traveled through the intersection of Hwy. 17 and Graystone Boulevard near the stateline, a drunk driver ran through a stoplight and collided with Lovejoy and his motorcycle.

After the accident, county first responders transported him to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, where he spent two weeks before being transferred to the Josephs M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga.

In total, Lovejoy experienced 10 surgeries and received a new prosthetic leg in October.

On Wednesday, Dec. 28, approximately six months after the incident, members of the responding HCFR crew got to meet the patient they treated and transported, learning Lovejoy made a significant recovery from the very serious injuries he sustained.

More often than not, HCFR crews only see the front end, and often terrible side, of emergencies, not knowing the long-term outcomes.

With that, these kinds of meetings are special for county crews and all first responders, as it allows them to witness the difference they really do make.

After reuniting last week, HCFR personnel said they couldn’t be happier for Lovejoy’s level of recovery and said they wish nothing but the best for him moving forward.

Great job to the HCFR crew for their work that day, as well as the hospital staff who treated Lovejoy ever since.

It takes special people to perform at such a high level in these stressful situations, and that is exactly what this group of HCFR’s finest are.