Man dies, woman survives traumatic brain injury after deer hit them on motorcycle in Boulder County

LONGMONT, Colo. (KDVR) — A woman is recovering from a traumatic brain injury without her husband after a deer crashed into their trike motorcycle in late June.

47-year-old Amber Strough and her 58-year-old husband Darren Strough were riding their trike motorcycle home from a family reunion along Highway 66 in Boulder County, when a deer jumped on top of them, causing them to crash. Their family was driving right behind them and saw the whole thing.

“I don’t have any memory up to a couple weeks before the accident. All of it kind of caused my short-term memory to escape me,” said Amber Strough. “They said I’m lucky that I’m awake and breathing and doing my thing. I feel very fortunate. I know there is a purpose for me that I haven’t yet fulfilled.”

The couple was just 12 minutes away from home when the crash happened. Darren died about a week after the crash. Amber was unconscious for a month and underwent four brain surgeries and a left-side facial reconstruction.

“Taking it easy, letting my brain try to get back to working correctly and some of my mobility is way better,” said Amber Strough.

But, even though one parent is back, the other is not.

“It’s just really hard, trying to grieve, but I’m also so excited and so grateful that my mom is okay,” said the couple’s daughter Madison Strough. “I hope that everyone else can remember him by how funny he was, and how kind he was, and helpful and genuine.”

Amber woke up to the news that her husband of 15 years had passed.

“It hit me really hard at first. Trying to find my way to come to terms with everything,” said Amber Strough. “We’d go for a motorcycle ride because it’s going to settle your brain down and we enjoyed it. The fresh air is good for you, the sunshine. It’s going to be different.”

The family has a message for other motorcycle riders.

“Be safe about it, pay attention to what’s around you. Be very aware of your surroundings, you can never be too cautious,” said both Amber and Madison Strough. “Don’t be afraid to ride. Riding is enjoyable, as long as you’re smart about it.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.

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