Joe DiMeo’s life was forever altered in a single moment. At just 18 years old, after a long night shift, the New Jersey native fell asleep behind the wheel, sparking a catastrophic crash that engulfed his car in flames. The accident left him with severe third-degree burns covering 80% of his body and resulted in the loss of his fingertips, eyelids, and lips. What followed was an intense battle for survival: a three-month coma, more than 20 surgeries, and a pioneering face and double hand transplant—the first ever successful procedure of its kind. Amid the trauma, Joe experienced something truly extraordinary: a vision he believes offered a glimpse into the afterlife.
The crash was triggered when metal parts of the vehicle scraped the ground, igniting leaking oil that quickly turned into a devastating blaze.
The injuries Joe sustained were life-changing—he lost not only extensive skin but also vital facial features such as his lips and eyelids. Over the ensuing years, Joe endured dozens of reconstructive operations and multiple skin grafts to rebuild his body.
In a landmark moment in August 2020, Joe became the world’s first person to undergo and survive a combined full face and double hand transplant, a procedure that rewrote the boundaries of medical possibility.
However, it was during the coma that followed the accident that Joe had a deeply moving and surreal experience. In an interview with People magazine, he described the sensory and emotional extremes of that time: “You can hear people, but it’s mostly bad dreams. When they bring you into the tank room to clean and remove bandages, it’s excruciating. Even in a coma, the pain is very real.”
Reflecting on the near-death experience, Joe shared a peaceful vision: “I remember walking my dog, who passed away years ago. It felt like just the two of us walking endlessly up a hill. I thought, maybe this is what the afterlife looks like.”
Years after his accident, love found Joe in an unexpected way—through social media. Jessica Koby, a woman from California who followed his journey on Instagram, eventually became his wife. When they married in Hawaii last December, Joe was 22 and Jessica 30.
Looking back on his path, Joe said, “I chose to be transparent and share my story because if it can help someone through a dark moment, it’s worth it. Yes, I lost most of my skin and now live with another person’s face and hands. But I also found my life partner. Without the accident, I might still be that cocky kid. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but now I love my life—because Jessica’s here with me.”
Joe DiMeo’s story is one of remarkable strength, healing, and hope. From enduring a horrific crash to becoming a medical pioneer, and from pain to love and advocacy, he’s transformed immense suffering into purpose. Though his scars remain, his experience reshaped his outlook, deepened his gratitude, and strengthened his resolve. Joe’s journey stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity to emerge from darkness into light.