Loving Support for Rudy Johnson

My name is Brenda Harvieux, and my siblings Chris Johnson, Taryn Mohler, and I are raising funds in loving support of Rudy Johnson, my stepdad and Chris and Taryn's dad.

On his way to work at Cub Foods in Maplewood on Tuesday, May 10th, Rudy was in a motorcycle accident at Highway 36 and 61. We don’t have many details about the events leading up to the crash. State Troopers have checked footage collected by traffic cameras in the area, but it occurred in a blind spot. Based on the tire marks, State Troopers theorize that a vehicle merged without looking and either hit him or caused Rudy to swerve and lose control of the motorcycle. He then crashed into the cement median, where he struck his head. No witnesses who saw the events leading up to the crash have come forward.

Rudy sustained some scrapes and significant bruising on his body, but the most damage was done to his head. The accident caused a severe traumatic brain injury and skull fractures: an orbital socket fracture, a skull fracture, and brain swelling, bruising, and bleeding.

Rudy was in the SICU at Regions Hospital, which is renowned for their trauma care, for about 2 1/2 weeks before transferring to their Surgical and Trauma Center. He was there for almost 3 weeks, during which he experienced a spontaneous brain bleed on top of the original brain bleed from the accident. This was a scary time, and we weren't sure how or if he would bounce back from that. Thankfully he started showing great improvements a few days later. He was at Regions until June 15 when he transferred to Regency Hospital. He wasn't quite ready for Regions' acute rehab program at that point. After about 2 weeks at Regency, Rudy transferred back to Regions Hospital on July 1 to start their acute rehab program. Everyone on his care team is impressed with the trajectory of his recovery. He's been relearning how to talk, walk, and care for himself. He's experiencing weakness on the right side of his body due to the trauma mainly affecting the left frontal lobe of his brain. His right arm has gotten a lot stronger, but he's still facing challenges with a lot of weakness in his right leg. He's also experiencing some challenges with his short-term memory and aphasia, but he is getting better at forming sentences, finding the right words, and holding conversations every day.

We started this GoFundMe to help with medical expenses and to keep his finances in good standing while he takes the time he needs to heal.

Anyone who is lucky enough to count Rudy as a family member or friend is well versed in his kindness, generosity, and love. He's always willing to drop everything and help you out no matter what the situation is, and do it with a smile. He's a beloved parent, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, and friend. He's worked hard all his life, and it's important to us that he takes as much time as he needs to rest and heal.

Rudy’s path to recovery is going to be long. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family. Any contribution you can make will have a positive impact.

Much love from us all,

Brenda Harvieux + Brian Eggert; Chris Johnson + Katie Peterson; Taryn, Mike, Thea + Olivia Mohler