Ed Note: This story has been updated from the original print version with the addition of a statement from the VA.

SALISBURY — Robin Disbro was a nurse for most of her 62 years of life, and even in death, she was taking care of others.

But her family still has questions about what exactly happened that caused that death, and while preparing to celebrate her life, they struggle with unanswered questions.

Disbro was a nurse at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, commonly known as the VA, on Brenner Avenue for the last eight years. She’d been a nurse for 30 years, according to her son, Dallas, and the family has photos of her dressed in a nurse’s costume from her middle school years.

Disbro’s husband, Stephen, is legally deaf and has had medical issues that have kept him from working since Dallas was in high school, and so Disbro was the sole provider for her family. Dallas said his mother worked night shifts in order to have family time, and “had so much energy it was unbelievable. She could get by on very little sleep, and she was the one who took care of everyone else.”

On Nov. 2, just two minutes before the end of Disbro’s 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, she got a call about a code blue. She and another staff member grabbed gear and headed out to respond. Both got into what Dallas described as a Polaris vehicle which is an ATV-type craft, and this one had “suicide doors” that open in the front rather than the back.

“It looked like an armored vehicle,” said Dallas, “and I’m not sure why the doors open that way, but they do.” The rest of the vehicle is open, and Dallas said the family was told the other staff member got in the back seat and his mother got in the front passenger seat. Dallas said the vehicle was driven by an officer in the security/police department of the VA.

“We are not sure why, but they weren’t any more than about 80 feet from where they left when her door came open,” Dallas said. Then, he said no one can tell them how it happened, but his mother fell out of the vehicle, sustaining broken ribs and a severe traumatic brain injury. She was taken first to Rowan Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

Dallas said in the first call with doctors, the family was told they were taking his mother into surgery, “and I thought OK, well I know this is bad but they’re going to take care of her and she’s going to be OK.” But it wasn’t long before another doctor advised the family that surgery was not an option, that the injury was too severe and that the family should plan to say goodbye.

Disbro was an organ donor, so even after brain death was declared, the hospital kept her body alive, and Dallas said she helped numerous others with the donations from her own body.

“Even in death she was taking care of others,” he said.

Although it took a little time, administrators of the VA have met with the family, and have discussed ways to possibly honor Disbro, including discussion of an honor wall and a candlelight vigil. Nurses who worked with Disbro have also been supportive and have reached out to comfort and support the family.

But there is still the question of what, exactly, happened.

The VA has told the family there is an investigation being conducted by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which can take up to six months to complete.

“That’s how long they have to do it,” said Dallas. “But we hope that maybe they can finish it in six weeks. It seems like they have done most of what they need to do, so we are hoping to have that sooner rather than later.”

The family also questions why, given that their mother was a medical staff member, she was taken to another hospital instead of being taken to the VA hospital on the property.

“I know she’s not a veteran, but I don’t really understand why they didn’t just take her to the hospital right there,” said Dallas.

Dallas said in the end, he wants the truth about what happened to be known, and he wants to be sure his family is taken care of, particularly his father.

“Mom was not only the financial provider of income and health benefits, but she provided the intangible things like making phone calls on my father’s behalf,” he said. A financial advisor in Washington, D.C., Dallas said just last year he began working with his mother on plans for her retirement in another five years.

“I never thought that instead I’d be moving back to N.C. for a while to take care of my dad,” he said. Dallas faces challenges of his own, though his independence is clear. In 2016, he suffered a broken neck in a diving accident, and is in a wheelchair.

“I’m still extremely independent and I lead a crazy active life,” he said. “And fortunately, I can work remotely, so I am able to be here to help.” His sister is married with three young children, he said, and needs to focus on taking care of her own family.

The honor walk at the hospital, which is how organ donors are honored in most hospitals, “was extremely moving, even though it was so difficult.”

He is hoping that the VA and OSHA can provide some answers, “even if we never know everything,” and that her employer will treat her as the hero she was.

“She was racing to save someone else,” Dallas said. “I want her to be celebrated. She was a super mom, a super nurse, the cornerstone of our family. She was a true force of nature and my wing man, and I’m struggling to find a way forward without her.”

A service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lake Norman Baptist Church in Huntersville and the family asked that donations in Robin’s memory be made to Sheltering Arms Foundation to support Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI) in Richmond, Virginia, one of the nation’s top 20 physical rehabilitation hospitals. At SAI, the spinal cord injury and complex care unit is named in honor of Robin’s son Dallas. Gifts in Robin’s memory will enhance care for people experiencing traumatic brain injury.

In a response emailed to the Post Saturday morning, the VA stated:

“On Saturday, November 2, 2024, Robin Disbro, a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, was involved in a work-related vehicular accident while responding to a ‘rapid response’ code blue. Tragically, Robin sustained fatal injuries while traveling to the response call and was later pronounced dead on Monday, November 4, 2024, after being transported to higher echelon care.

The entire Salisbury VA Health Care System is heartbroken by the loss of our cherished teammate Robin. She was the embodiment of selfless service, always putting the needs of Veterans and colleagues above her own. Even in her final moments, Robin’s actions reflected her unwavering dedication and compassion to the VA mission. Her loss leaves a void in our hearts and our team, and she is profoundly missed.

Since the accident, we have been supporting Robin’s family, colleagues, and our broader VA team as we grieve together. We will continue to be there for Robin’s family in the months ahead and are planning ways to honor Robin’s memory and legacy on our Salisbury campus, which we will share with the community soon.

Salisbury VA is fully committed to supporting the investigative process around this tragedy. Our VA Police Service, Occupational Safety & Health Manager, and various other VA services are working closely with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as they lead the ongoing investigation.

We understand that updates are important, and we will keep the community informed as more information becomes available. Our deepest condolences are with Robin’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”