24-year-old organ donor dies in motorcycle accident, then saves uncle's life with new liver

David Menchaca was just 24 when he died three years ago in a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, Texas. But his legacy lives on through the uncle whose life David saved.

Before David died on Aug. 21, 2021, his uncle, Lucas Lopez, needed a liver transplant, David's family said. CBS affiliate KENS.

According to reports, David had gotten on his motorcycle and didn't return home for dinner that evening, and his parents didn't suspect anything was wrong until he stopped answering their phone calls.

“He'd just bought the bike four months ago,” David's father, Alex Menchaca, told KENS. “He had kind of a rule about not driving it at night.”

David's parents contacted police and local hospitals regarding their son's location, with David's mother, Michelle Menchaca, telling the station they had left Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and University Hospital for last because they were trauma-level facilities.

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The family later found out David was at BAMC after a motorcycle accident on St. Mary Street near Josephine Street, KENS reported. After learning from medical staff that her son's prognosis was grim, Alex inquired about organ donation.

It turned out that David was a registered organ donor and his liver was donated to his uncle Lucas four days after his death.

“My sister called me,” Alex told KENS. “She called and said, 'I just got a call from the hospital and it looks like it's a match!'”

” [Lucas’] “The change in appearance has been really dramatic,” Michelle said after receiving the gift of David's life.

August National Minority Donor Awareness MonthAccording to Donate Life America's website, the initiative aims to “save and improve the quality of life in diverse communities by creating a positive culture of organ, eye and tissue donation.”

“Family and friends will always remember David's kindness, generosity and bright spirit.” In his obituary“David was loved by so many people and his memory will live on in the lives of those touched by his gift of life through organ donation.”