How the Eddy family turned heartbreak into hope through the story of Wyatt, his truck Elmer, and the movement that continues to save lives.
There are certain lives that shine so brightly they leave a light behind—a warmth that never fades. For those who knew him, Wyatt Bradigan Eddy was that light: radiant, curious, endlessly kind, and always smiling. His laughter had a way of filling a room, and his presence made every space feel alive.
At just fourteen years old, Wyatt’s life was rich with curiosity and joy. He was a gamer, a dreamer, and a builder of things both real and imagined. He loved robotics and anything that involved tinkering, fixing, or creating. He also had a driven spirit that loved to try new things—surfing and wakeboarding among them—activities he enjoyed sharing with his brother, Wade, and friends.
After exploring all sorts of cars, trucks, and quirky vehicles that caught his eye, Wyatt finally settled on one that seemed to find him rather than the other way around—an old 1966 Ford truck he lovingly named Elmer.
Elmer became more than a project; it was a connection between generations and a reflection of Wyatt’s spirit—steady, patient, and full of purpose. He saw potential where others saw rust and found joy in the slow, deliberate process of bringing something back to life. That same outlook defined how he lived: seeing the good, finding the light, and giving his all to everything he touched.
What began as a boy’s love for an old truck would later become the inspiration for a film. Elmer was the catalyst—first representing Wyatt’s curiosity and determination, and now standing as a powerful symbol of his story. What started as a film about a boy and his bond with a truck has evolved into a movement—one that raises awareness for organ donation and celebrates the enduring spirit of generosity that continues to ripple outward in Wyatt’s name.
It was during a weekend getaway to Doheny State Beach, near San Diego, with his family that tragedy struck. On September 29, 2021, a surfing accident claimed Wyatt’s bright young life, leaving an ache words could never fully capture.
Wyatt’s parents faced an unthinkable decision—but even in heartbreak, they were guided by the compassion and generosity their son had always embodied. They chose to donate his organs, allowing Wyatt’s spirit to live on in others. His heart went to a person who desperately needed it, and his liver was given to another father in need. In total, Wyatt’s donations are credited with saving six lives—a gift that continues to resonate far beyond those recipients, touching their families, friends, and countless others whose lives have been changed by the ripple of his story.
“It’s about finding the positive in something unthinkable,” his mother, Wendy, shared. “That’s what helps you heal and move forward. We hope this story helps others and offers comfort.”
That belief has carried the Eddy family ever since. Wyatt’s story has grown far beyond what any of them could have imagined—becoming a movement fueled by love, gratitude, and community. His friends continue to honor him through volunteer work and by gathering at events inspired by his life. His story now reaches audiences nationwide through the film Heart of the Motor—a tribute that began with a boy and his truck and has since become a national message of hope, renewal, and the extraordinary power of one life to change so many others.
Today, Elmer stands not just as a truck, but as a symbol—a reminder of Wyatt’s boundless curiosity, his courage to try, and the compassion that continues to move through every life he touched. What began as a young boy’s search for the perfectly imperfect vehicle now carries a greater purpose: a lasting emblem of love, generosity, and the unbreakable connection between one heart and many.
Wendy and Dave Eddy have taken on the task of continuing to share their son’s story and raise awareness about the profound impact of organ donation. Through community events, speaking engagements, and their partnership with Heart of the Motor, they encourage others to take a moment to confirm their donor registration—whether or not they remember signing up through their driver’s license. The Eddy family hopes their story serves as a reminder of how one small choice—one simple sticker—can change, and even save, countless lives.
Be the reason someone gets a second chance.
Scan or click the QR code to confirm your organ donor registration today.
Heart of the Motor: Honoring Wyatt’s Legacy and the Power of Organ Donation
On September 20, Melanie and Richard Lundquist opened their Palos Verdes home for an evening that felt equal parts premiere, reunion, and purpose-driven celebration. Guests from across the Peninsula, Torrance, and the greater South Bay gathered to honor Heart of the Motor—a moving new documentary that traces the powerful ripple effect of Wyatt Eddy’s life and legacy—while launching a nationwide tour to raise awareness for organ donation.
The evening was made especially meaningful by the presence of the recipients of Wyatt’s heart and liver—a living reminder of the lives forever changed through organ donation. Wyatt’s family, filmmaker Erik Light, and members of The Gift of Life Kentucky, the nonprofit that partnered with Light to bring this story to life, came together to celebrate the extraordinary impact one young life continues to have.
With deep roots in Kentucky, where Wyatt first discovered Elmer, his beloved 1966 Ford truck and the film’s enduring symbol, this collaboration underscored the far-reaching connections of Wyatt’s story and the growing movement it has inspired to encourage more people to register as organ donors across the country.
The LLWE logo – featuring Wyatt’s likeness and standing for “Long Live Wyatt Eddy” – has become a symbol of friendship, remembrance, and community across the South Bay.
The Film: Capturing Courage, Community, and Continuity
Heart of the Motor—written, directed, and produced by Erik Light—began with a single photo of Wyatt Eddy and his beloved 1966 Ford truck, Elmer. That image launched a two-year journey documenting how one family’s loss became a story of renewal through organ donation.
Set against familiar South Bay scenes, the film weaves together moments that honor the Eddy family’s courage and the recipients whose lives were forever changed. At its core, it asks: What if our hardest moments could save someone else’s life?
Following a nationwide tour, Heart of the Motor has carried the South Bay’s spirit of resilience, generosity, and hope across the country—sharing Wyatt’s story and inspiring others to consider the life-saving gift of organ donation.
Emmy-nominated filmmaker Erik Light found his purpose in telling stories with heart. After discovering that photo of Wyatt and Elmer, he was moved to create Heart of the Motor, capturing Wyatt’s enduring spirit and the six lives he saved. His hope: to inspire others to register as donors and continue a legacy of courage, generosity, and hope.
Scan or click the QR code to watch the trailer, rent or purchase the Film.
