One Decision Changed His Life: Turning a Devastating Crash Into a Mission to Save Lives

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Nick and Brennen Neblung from Bobby’s Crash Foundation to share the story behind the foundation and the life-changing crash that inspired its mission.

On September 28, 2025, Brennen was seriously injured in a crash caused by excessive speed. He spent approximately a month and a half receiving treatment between the University of Iowa and Shirley Ryan Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago and continues to recover from the extensive injuries he suffered.

Now, Nick and Brennen are turning that experience into an effort to educate young drivers about the consequences of speeding, distracted driving, seat belt use, impaired driving, peer pressure, bicycle and recreational vehicle safety, and other decisions that can have life-changing consequences.

Bobby’s Crash Foundation is built around one powerful message: one decision can change a life.

Learn more, request a presentation, or support the mission at bobbyscrash.org.

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🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online

🎤 Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to Along the Rock

00:13 Meet Nick and Brennan Nealon

00:33 The Crash That Inspired Bobby’s Crash Foundation

01:39 Brennan’s Recovery Journey

02:01 Turning Tragedy Into a Mission

02:29 The Dangers of Speeding and Distracted Driving

03:15 Technology and Distractions Behind the Wheel

04:02 How Everyday Driving Habits Can Become Dangerous

05:04 Brennan’s Recovery Nearly One Year Later

06:29 The Mission of Bobby’s Crash Foundation

07:13 Educational Materials for Young Drivers

07:47 A QR Code Tool for Minor Crashes

08:50 The Importance of Calling 911

09:47 Preparing Young People for Emergencies

10:25 The Financial and Emotional Cost of a Crash

11:53 The True Cost of Brennan’s Accident

12:55 Using Real Numbers to Reach Young Drivers

14:45 The Extent of Brennan’s Injuries

16:16 Recovery, Rehabilitation and Future Surgeries

17:25 One Decision: The Consequences of Speeding

18:15 Why Speeding Is Never Worth the Risk

19:22 A Message Every Driver Should Hear

20:15 Seatbelts, Helmets and Personal Responsibility

21:11 The Foundation’s Impact on Students

22:24 School Presentations and Mock Crash Events

23:13 Changing One Life Through Education

24:39 The Long-Term Vision for Bobby’s Crash Foundation

26:20 Bringing the Message to More Communities

26:44 Requesting a Presentation

28:33 Bringing the Actual Crash Vehicle to Events

30:35 How to Support Bobby’s Crash Foundation

31:27 Where Donations Will Go

32:25 The Goal of a Seatbelt Demonstration Device

33:10 Showing Young People How Seatbelts Save Lives

34:43 Donation Information

35:55 Building a Foundation With Accountability

37:50 Final Thoughts

38:43 Closing

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