Colorado Springs, CO — On July 20th 2008 Brandye and Nathan Conley were competing in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb when they were involved in a high speed accident when they left the road at a speed around 80 to 90 MPH and struck a 12 inch diameter tree head on. The accident required them to be air lifted to the nearest hospital in Colorado Springs. After the CT scans were taken, the results showed they both suffered broken backs, with Brandye shattering her T12 Vertebrae and Nathan suffering a compressed and fractured T12 and L1 Vertebrae.

Brandye was in need of more specialized care and was then air lifted to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Denver to undergo immediate surgery. The surgery required a cage to replace the shattered vertebrae as well as plates and screws to fuse the vertebrae. Fortunately, Nathan required no surgery for his injuries but was transferred to Saint Anthony’s so he could be along side of Brandye for the recovery process.

As of July 22nd, Nathan has been released from the hospital and is able to walk on his own. He will need a back brace for approximately three months, but is expected to have a full recovery.

Brandye’s surgery went without a flaw, she has now regained leg movement accompanied with minor leg numbness and swelling. She is able to stand with the support of others and her doctors are optimistic for a full recovery. At this time it is unknown how long Brandye will be at Saint Anthonys, but she is scheduled to be going to the Craigs Rehab Center in Denver, which is rated among the top 3 rehab centers in the nation.

“Rally America would like to extend our sympathies to Brandye and Nathan and the members of the Conley and Monks families,” said Rally America’s J.B. Niday. “We wish them a speedy recovery.”

Nathan and Brandye have greatly appreciated all the love and support of the rally and extended racing community. The tremendous amount of support that Nathan and Brandye have received has given them the encouragement they need to get back on their feet and be back within the racing community that has made their lives so enjoyable.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event is close to home for the Colorado Springs, Colorado, couple, who were next set to compete in X Games 14 in Los Angeles on August 3. Nathan and Brandye had just completed building a specialized Subaru WRX STi to debut at X Games 14.

It is now expected they will not attend the Los Angeles contest. Rally America will announce an alternate in the coming days.