Ocean Grove father speaks of horrific motorbike accident

An Ocean Grove business owner was left with broken bones and brain bleeds after a “freak accident”.

Jordan Frank, left, is hosting a music launch fundraiser to help ‘G’ Houston, his partner Kara Monterosso and their daughter Winnter, 4, after a motorbike accident. Picture: Alison Wynd

The owner of a popular Ocean Grove cafe and clothing brand is getting back to business, slowly, after a nearly-fatal motorcycle crash.

Eugenio Houston, better known as ‘G’, owns The Parade Espresso Bar in Ocean Grove and motorcycle apparel brand, Chopped and Bopped.

The father of two was involved in a traumatic motorcycle crash in Norlane on March 17, while he slowed at a yellow light.

Mr Houston said a motorcycle came up on his left side, hitting and breaking his left leg.

He said as he fell, another motorbike drove up behind him and ran over his spine and body.

“It was a freak accident,” he said.

He survived, he said, because his motorcycle had moulded to the weight of his body, taking a small part of the impact.

Mr Houston was left with broken ribs and shoulders, two brain bleeds, spinal fractures, and his left leg and ankle broken.

“I still get flashbacks, I’m only really starting to remember it now,” he said.

'G' Houston in hospital after being run over at a yellow light.

Mr Houston said he was in the Royal Melbourne Hospital for eight days, and rehab at the Epworth in Waurn Ponds for a month after that.

“Recovery will take more than a year, but that’s just physical,” he said.

He said he expected his psychological recovery will be much longer.

“I went through the intersection where the accident was (recently) and I started to get sweaty … it is so traumatic.” he said.

His businesses have also taken a hit, having to take on extra staff as he can’t work six days a week anymore.

Mr Houston’s partner of five years Kara Monterosso said when she found out about the crash, she immediately went into shock.

“(Our friend) said, ‘Are you sitting down?’ and I said ‘He’s dead, isn’t he?’,” Ms Monterosso said.

The couple said they were behind on rent with neither working while they recovered.

G Houston, his partner Kara Monterosso and their daughter Winnter, 4, are hoping people will donate money to help with his recovery after a motorbike accident. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Houston’s good friend Jordan Frank was with him at the time of the crash.

Mr Frank said he went through the yellow light with another friend and the pair had pulled over to wait for Mr Houston.

“We waiting a while … then realised the traffic had stopped,” he said.

Mr Frank said it felt like a nightmare unfolding.

“G doesn’t remember (everything), but for us, we remember every single thing,” he said.

“To see a friend just laying flat on his stomach … you’re straight away thinking, ‘He’s dead.’”

Grateful Mr Houston is alive, Mr Frank has launched a GoFundMe and is hosting several fundraising events to help his friend get back on his feet.

“The biking community is very close,” he said

“For this to happen to anyone, especially G when he is the most experienced of us all, it’s unthinkable.”

A charity motorbike ride from Geelong to Ocean Grove followed by a fundraising gig at The Parade Espresso Bar will be held on May 26 to support Mr Houston.

Originally published as Ocean Grove father speaks of horrific motorbike accident