When Powell teen Justin Marquez was lifting the side-by-side off his brother he realized his own left arm might be broken.

Marquez had finished irrigating with his brother Jason Medina and they were taking the side-by-side back to their car when the vehicle flipped after the tire struck a puddle. Medina woke up with the utility vehicle on the back part of his head, an arm and a leg, and called for Marquez, who had been ejected. Marquez remembers trying to catch himself with his arms, he said, and not much else. He was wearing a sweater and did not think much of his left arm at first. He helped Medina get the side-by-side upright, and they were helped by a family friend to the hospital.

While Medina was mostly OK, according to a GoFundMe he started for his brother, Marquez needed medical attention for his left arm which had been badly injured. 

Jason started the account after hearing their mother, Naomi Marquez, talking about the 12 weeks she would have to take off work to help her son heal. She is a single mother with five children, and the bills still have to be paid, she said. 

Naomi was surprised Medina opened the account. She was a little embarrassed, but the fundraiser is a good thing — insurance won’t cover everything, she said.

So far, the GoFundMe has raised $3,475 of its $4,000 goal. Naomi told Justin, “This is people showing how much they love you,” she said. 

In addition to monetary support, Justin has also been looked after by teachers and other members of the Powell School District. A couple of them even visited the Marquez home.

“I think this community really likes to support people,” Naomi said, adding, “They’re just very kind people.” 

The day of the accident Naomi had been called to come to the hospital and was trying her best to get back to Powell from Cody where she works as a CNA.

“I know for sure the Lord was keeping an eye on my kids,” Naomi said, adding, “The last few years [there have] been so many dead kids, I was hoping this time it’s not my turn.”

Upon arrival at Powell Valley Hospital she thought Justin had only a broken arm, but they found out they were just in time for Dr. William Jarvis to save his arm. Justin had developed compartment syndrome, which according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, is when “pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.”

Justin was in the ER for 15-20 minutes before heading into emergency surgery, Naomi said — Jarvis told her he was working 10 years ago when a similar situation came up, but the patient arrived too late and the arm could not be saved. 

Medina got his brother into the hospital just in time.

Justin, who plays both football and wrestles, still has a wound that needs to close on his arm. As a result, he won’t be able to play football his freshman season or wrestle in the 2025 USA  Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. But, while this is disappointing, Marquez will not be out of sports forever. He may not be able to play football this year but will be healed in time for wrestling season.

Two of the three wounds on Justin’s arms have been closed; right now the biggest concern is healing the wounds, Naomi said. For instance, they are getting a larger wound vaccum to cut down on frequent trips to Cody and the daily fees are hefty.

On July 21, Justin has a consultation with a plastic surgeon for a skin graft, Naomi said, which is just ahead of the Park County Fair, where he was slated to show a pig. If it’s allowed, maybe she or Medina can show the pig, Naomi said.

Those wanting to donate to the Marquez family or learn more can visit Medina’s GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/support-justins-recovery-from-surgery, or a second GoFundMe created by Patrick Haney at gofundme.com/f/7spys-support-justins-road-to-recovery.