LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—A July motorcycle crash on North River Road changed Maria Quinn’s life forever.

Quinn said what started as a motorcycle ride on a summer day became a fight for her life. She said the crash happened July 12 while she was riding on the back of a motorcycle on North River Road.

Quinn described how the crash unfolded. “On a turn, we hit a patch of gravel and went into a guardrail, and then from there, I flew 157 feet,” Quinn said.

She was airlifted to Gulf Coast Medical Center, where doctors amputated her left leg. Quinn said she did not realize how badly she was hurt at first.

“Apparently, I was trying to cheer other people up because everyone was freaking out. I didn’t know how bad I was,” Quinn said.

Quinn said the crash left her with severe injuries beyond the loss of her leg. “I had crushed an artery, and on top of that, I was disemboweled. Obviously, I broke everything except for my right leg,” Quinn said.

While Quinn focused on healing, the cost of her medical care and the prosthetic she needed created another challenge. Blessed on Two Wheels and the Lost Riders reached out to help.

Dennis Segatto said motorcycle injuries are a big problem in Southwest Florida. “It’s an overwhelming amount of people that actually get injured in Southwest Florida. It’s a big problem. Motorcycle safety is a big problem,” Segatto said.

Organizers held a series of bike events and raised enough money to cover the cost of Quinn’s prosthetic leg. Segatto said the bike community responded quickly.

Kaitlyn Doherty with the Lost Riders described what that support meant. “Seeing the bike community come together so fast to help her has been amazing,” Doherty said.

Quinn said she was also dealing with an injury to her right arm. Quinn said, “From the elbow down, I have no movement or feeling. So we’re doing some testing to see if there’s nerves still firing there and if it can be fixed.”

The Lost Riders planned a car and bike show for Quinn on Jan. 8. Quinn said she hoped to be out of the hospital by then so she could attend.