A California father is continuing his recovery from a devastating motorcycle crash that left him unconscious for nearly a month — and recently celebrated a milestone moment with his daughter.
The accident happened on March 22, when Josh Farmer, owner of High Sierra Tattoo Co. in Clovis, was riding with friends to Bass Lake in Madera County, according to ABC affiliate KFSN and CBS affiliate KGPE.
Fellow rider Eric Bangerter recalled the scene, telling KFSN: “When I was coming around the turn, I just saw a bunch of wreckage on the street. I didn’t know what it was, so I kind of went around the wreckage and that’s when I saw the bike and then I saw Josh in front of the bike.”
Farmer’s sister, Rashel Garcia, told KGPE she rushed to Fresno after receiving a phone call from someone at her brother’s tattoo shop. “I answered it and I couldn’t formulate sentences for a good half hour,” she said. “I was out of there, booking my flight to Fresno.”
Doctors later rebuilt Farmer’s spine with titanium, according to KFSN. Following surgery, he had to relearn how to talk and walk.
As he remained hospitalized, the community rallied around him. In late March, a fundraiser was held at his tattoo shop, with local artists offering free designs in his honor.
“Owning High Sierra Tattoo Co. was a dream that Joshua worked tirelessly to bring to life,” the business wrote in a March 26 Facebook post just days after the crash. “He has poured his heart, soul, and countless hours into making this shop not just a business, but a second home. And we are going to fight like hell to keep it open as we await his eventual return.”
Andrea Martinez, a close friend, told KFSN: “He’s a mentor. He’s somebody who keeps you going. He makes your day brighter.”
Meanwhile, an online fundraiser has collected more than $22,000 as of Tuesday, Aug. 19. Its description highlights Farmer’s history of supporting others in need: “Many of us have seen Josh coordinate memorial motorcycle rides to honor his fallen camaraderie and host tattoo events to support some of his local community who has suffered from significant medical issues and family losses.”
It continues: “Anyone who knows Josh, knows he lives and breathes for his family. It would be such a blessing for him to know his family is provided for while they care for him away from their own homes.”
Speaking with KFSN, Farmer shared his gratitude for the support he has received and revealed the personal goal that kept him pushing through his recovery: getting strong enough to dance with his daughter on her 20th birthday. He achieved that goal this summer.
In the same interview — his first since the crash — Farmer, whose right eye remains closed months later, stressed the importance of safety gear for riders.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends, even family in these situations,” he said. “I could tell you right now, a really good professional full-face helmet, as much as some guys don’t want to hear it, will and can absolutely make a difference.”
