This article first appeared  on the OSF St. Joseph Medical Center's website. A simple accident can show the importance of wearing a helmet for every ride - not matter how short or casual.

A simple bicycle ride changed Carol Pegg’s life forever.

When Mrs. Pegg and her husband, neurologist Dr. Edward Pegg, and their 13-year-old son went out for a short bicycle ride last May, they never anticipated what was about to happen.

“I took my eyes off the road to glance back at my son,” says Carol. “When I did, my bike pedals tangled with my husband’s.” The pair went crashing to the asphalt. Carol was not wearing a helmet.

As Dr. Pegg helped his wife to her feet, a neighbor came by in his car and drove the family to the hospital. En route to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Carol began to seize.

Once they arrived at the Emergency Department, Carol was whisked inside and a CAT scan was performed. While undergoing the scan, Carol stopped breathing, but thanks to the fast action of the OSF St. Joseph Medical Center staff, she was quickly revived.

Carol was found to have a temporal lobe injury and skull fracture, as well as a broken shoulder blade, collarbone, ribs, hips, and pelvis.

Carol has learned a valuable lesson from her accident and can’t stress the importance of wearing the proper equipment, even if it’s only a short ride. “I won’t get back on a bike without a helmet!” she states adamantly.

 This article was provided by OSF St. Joseph Medical Center.