Podcast Summary

Against The Odds

Episode: In Their Own Words: Trapped After a Car Crash | Part 1

Original Air Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Mike Corey
Guest: Matt Rehm

Overview

This episode of Against The Odds presents the harrowing survival story of Matt Rehm, a 27-year-old boilermaker, who was trapped in his truck for six days following a car crash in December 2023. Told in Matt’s own words, the episode follows his journey from the accident on a foggy Indiana highway to his eventual rescue, highlighting not just his physical ordeal but his mental battle with depression, despair, and the will to live.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Setting the Stage: Matt's Life Before the Crash (00:27–05:03)

• Background: Matt, a union boilermaker, was enjoying a stable career, studying construction technology, and was preparing for a friend's funeral trip to Missouri.
  • “At 27 years old, I was in a fairly comfortable spot. I’d finally got myself in a position that I was happy with.” — Matt Rehm (03:13)
• Accident Premonition: Matt missed his usual exit, found himself on I-8094 amid thick fog, and, to avoid hitting an animal, swerved—leading to the devastating crash.

2. The Crash and Immediate Aftermath (05:03–10:56)

• Crash Details: Swerving to avoid deer, Matt’s truck hit the guardrail, spun down a hill, and came to rest beneath a bridge in a creek bed.
  • “The impact itself shattered everything almost instantly. So now it’s just raining glass.” — Matt Rehm (05:15)
• Injury Assessment: He regains consciousness in pain, unable to move or locate his phone; his leg and hand are broken and trapped by the dashboard.
• First Night: Matt attempts to call for help, but no cars stop. He uses up his energy yelling and honking—eventually falling asleep, hoping it was all a nightmare.

3. Assessing Survival and Inventory (10:56–13:15)

• Day Two: Realizes the extent of his predicament—trapped, no water, minimal food (old chicken wings), and surrounded by broken glass.
  • “The one thing that I didn’t have that I knew I was going to need very shortly was I did not have water.” — Matt Rehm (13:15)
• Mindset: Despite pain and fear, resolves to stay calm and practical, journaling and taking stock of reachable items—critical for his construction worker mentality.

4. Battling Thirst, Weather, and Despair (15:11–19:40)

• Dehydration: By the second full day, dehydration becomes severe. Matt can hear water in the creek but can’t reach it.
• Mental Health: Matt, with a history of depression and anxiety, faces the ordeal without medication—relying on therapy techniques, like deep breathing, to cope.
  • “Now I’m having to face my depression and anxiety without the help of any kind of medication, and I’m having to use everything that therapy has taught me over the last few years.” — Matt Rehm (15:54)
• Ingenuity: Uses rainwater that pours through a highway drainage spout, his car’s visor, and an empty mouthwash bottle to collect and filter water through sweatpants. The water tastes terrible but proves lifesaving.
  • “It’s gritty from all the asphalt and everything from the roads, probably mixed with a little bit of glass.” — Matt Rehm (17:47)
• Physical Challenges: Cold, soaked, forced to sleep sitting up or on a duffel bag; worries about injuries getting infected due to lack of hygiene.

5. Mental Spiral and Suicidal Crisis (19:40–20:59)

• Darkest Moments: Emotional and physical decline lead Matt to a suicide attempt using charging cords, which thankfully break.
  • “I try essentially hanging myself or suffocating myself with those. And thankfully, those break.” — Matt Rehm (19:57)
• Renewed Will: The failure and thoughts of loved ones—especially his best friend Kristen—prompt Matt to refocus on survival.

6. Desperation and Hallucinations as Days Pass (21:06–25:55)

• Time Distortion: Fatigue and lack of sunlight make keeping track of days and time difficult.
• Journaling: Uses the time to write reflections, regrets, notes to family and friends, and ultimately, as he loses hope, prepares for the possibility of dying.
  • “It would be nice to wish for…to get out of there for a Christmas present. But my brain knows that, you know, I am stuck in here.” — Matt Rehm (22:26)
• Hallucinations: On the sixth day, dehydration and hunger lead to hallucinations and dreams urging self-amputation for escape, but he is too weak to act.

7. Rescue: The Miracle on the Day After Christmas (27:51–29:28)

• Discovery: Mario Garcia and his son-in-law stumble onto Matt’s truck while out for a walk. Matt, half-believing he’s hallucinating, grabs Mario’s hand seeking confirmation of reality.
  • “Are you real? Are you actually there?” — Matt Rehm (28:18)
• First Responders: Police, firefighters, and medics arrive; cut Matt out of the truck and airlift him to hospital.

8. Recovery: Pain, Loss, and Second Chances (29:45–35:46)

• Medical Reality: Matt suffers multiple broken bones, severe tissue damage, and requires an amputation above the knee.
  • “Over the six days I was in my truck, having contemplated needing to amputate my own legs, there was already a part of my brain that knew, like, if you make it out of here, you’re probably losing a leg.” — Matt Rehm (31:16)
• Support Network: Emotional reunions with his father (after four years) and best friend Kristen, who’d been desperately searching for him.
  • “One of the things that kept me going…was thinking about how much this would hurt her, knowing how devastating it would be to her to hear that I passed away.” — Matt Rehm (32:08)
• Rehabilitation: Long hospital stay, two amputation surgeries, delay in walking until April/May, eventual return to running 5Ks, aided by a GoFundMe campaign for a running prosthetic.
• Community & Coincidence: Considers the odds of being found "miraculous"—if Mario and his son-in-law had left 30 minutes later, it may have been too dark to spot the truck.
  • “So knowing how little the odds should actually be that they saw me, that everything worked out, is honestly kind of miraculous that I am alive today.” — Matt Rehm (34:44)
• Gratitude & Perspective: Every day is a gift; Matt expresses gratitude for comforts and possibility, hoping to inspire others facing hardship.
  • “Every day I wake up, I am still beyond happy to be able to wake up knowing that my bed is a lot more comfortable than my truck. I’m extremely grateful for that.” — Matt Rehm (35:46)

9. Moving Forward (36:40–37:13)

• Achievements: In May 2024, Matt graduates with top academic honors, co-authors a book, resumes work, and shares his story to help others see hope despite adversity.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Perspective:
  • “Every day I wake up, I am still beyond happy to be able to wake up knowing that my bed is a lot more comfortable than my truck.” — Matt Rehm (35:46)
• On Survival:
  • “What I went through, I shouldn’t have made it out alive. It is something that…I’m able to wake up every day and be thankful for in terms of a second chance.” — Matt Rehm (35:46)
• On Rescue:
  • “Are you real? Are you actually there?” — Matt Rehm to his rescuer, Mario Garcia (28:18)
• On Hope:
  • “A lot of it is giving appreciation where appreciation is due, but also trying to help motivate and show people through what I’ve been through that, you know, life can be hard, but you can still make it through.” — Matt Rehm (35:46)

Memorable Timestamps

• The Crash: 05:15–07:32
• First Dehydration Attempts: 17:23–18:50
• Moment of Suicidal Crisis: 19:57–20:12
• Journaling Thoughts & Farewell: 22:26–24:49
• Rescue Scene: 27:51–29:28
• Reflection on Gratefulness: 35:46

Tone & Language

The episode is raw, vulnerable, and matter-of-fact, combining Matt’s plainspoken Midwestern pragmatism with emotional depth and moments of dark humor. The hosts maintain a respectful, immersive tone, letting Matt’s voice and perspective narrate the bulk of the story.

Conclusion

This episode of Against The Odds offers a riveting, deeply human tale of endurance, resilience, and fortuitous rescue. Matt Rehm’s story is interwoven with moments of despair and triumph, serving as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the unpredictable kindness of strangers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988.

For more survivor stories in their own words, listen to additional episodes of Against The Odds.