Austin was injured while riding his Harley-Davidson when his foot peg caught on an uneven section of road while navigating a turn, causing him to be thrown from the motorcycle. While airborne, he was struck by an oncoming vehicle before his motorcycle also collided with the car. The crash resulted in burst fractures from T4-T10, skull and facial fractures, more than 10 broken ribs, a broken hip and jaw, and a traumatic brain injury, requiring blood transfusions and chest tubes.