ST. GEORGE — A 15-year-old St. George boy who was hospitalized following an off-road motorcycle crash three weeks ago died Saturday evening after being taken off life support.
Champ Salley, who had sustained traumatic brain injuries in the April 3 incident, died at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City while surrounded by his family and loved ones, according to public social media posts.
Salley reportedly had been riding his motocross dirt bike the afternoon of April 3 when he was thrown from his bike, landing on his head. In a technical rescue effort involving teams from multiple agencies, responders worked to evacuate the teen from the scene of the crash and transport him to the hospital.
Family members reported that Champ did show some signs of improvement during his stay at Primary Children’s, including moments of wakefulness when he was able to move his eyes and head in response to questions.
However, the boy’s condition subsequently deteriorated, with doctors saying the damage to his brain stem was too severe.
“He was always so thoughtful and caring of others. So much so, that he chose to be an organ donor when he went to get his learners permit just over a month ago,” Champ’s mother Alicia Salley wrote Monday on Facebook. Her statement also was posted as the latest update on the GoFundMe page that has been set up on her behalf to help cover Champ’s medical expenses.
“I can only have some peace in the knowledge that he passed on as a result of doing something he truly enjoyed and was never once alone through the whole process,” his mother added.
Champ’s father Chris Salley also wrote an earlier post about his son’s decision to check “yes” on the organ donor box on his driver’s permit.
“With all the sorrow, Champ will continue to be who he was and will save the life of multiple other people,” Chris Salley wrote. “Someone out there will have the lungs of a Champ.”
“At the end of his life, he was surrounded by the ones who loved him the most and we’re fully confident his journey moves on to a better place, unfortunately much sooner than expected,” Chris Salley added.
A separate GoFundMe page has been set up on Chris Salley’s behalf to help pay for Champ’s funeral expenses.
Champ was described by family and friends as a spunky, sweet, caring and quiet boy who loved animals, video games, kung fu movies and spicy Mexican candy.
On Wednesday, Alicia Salley told St. George News that Champ had been riding on a single-track trail with a group of family members in the Cherry Creek area when he was thrown from his bike. He was wearing a helmet and safety gear, she said.
“It was an extreme blessing in my eyes, the fact that he was wearing all of the proper gear,” she said. “Had he not been, he would not have even been able to be an organ donor. I want to make sure kids understand that, because there’s plenty of children that I see riding without helmets and without gear. Apart from the organ donation side of it, it’s just understanding that it’s important to save your life. If there’s ever a chance to save your life in an accident, knowing that you’re wearing enough gear to protect your body and your head.”
Alicia Salley said that after being in the hospital for more than two weeks, her son had a stroke, which doctors called an “anomaly.”
“He was on a fast recovery, he was sitting up and doing all the things he was supposed to be doing,” she said. “That helmet should have saved his life. And honestly, the stroke that happened was the turning point. The doctors still can’t understand where that came from. It was something they didn’t even expect to happen.”
Survivors include Champ’s father Chris Salley, stepmother Erica Langford, mother Alicia Salley, stepfather Scott Greenwalt, sister Elonna Greenwalt, step-siblings Kaylee Shelly, Dyllan Greenwalt, Tanner Ward, and numerous other extended family members.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George.
Updated April 27, 8 a.m. with additional details, including the location of the funeral service. Also, the date of Champ’s death has been corrected to Saturday, April 23, and the location of the crash was in central Utah’s Juab County.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.