Path to Healing For Family Injured in Jul 4 Crash

This fundraiser is being managed by Nicole Monroe and Stephanie Smith.

This family of 8 was on their way to see fireworks like so many families to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. Before reaching the event, they were involved in a horrific accident in which a drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit their minivan, causing the van to roll over multiple times before finally coming to rest on its side.

All of the children were able to be pulled to safety due to the heroic actions of the parents and 16-year-old in the vehicle, who all sustained their injuries. They were 'on a mission' to get all of the children out and onto safe ground. Some good samaritans assisted and waited with them until first responders arrived to further assist.

Inside the minivan were 2 adults (parents of 4 of the children), a 16 year old and children ranging from age 9 months to 7 years old. A total of 8 family members miraculously survived. However, all of the victims sustained varying degrees of injuries. Some of the injuries include severe swelling, vision loss and eye injury (father, local business owner), severe lacerations, cuts and bruising (mother, preschool teacher) punctured lung (5-year-old), head injury (3-year-old), sustained knee pain (16-year-old), some bruising and scrapes (9-month-old boy), scrapes, cuts and bruises (7-year-old girl) and a broken arm for the soon to be an 8-year old boy. All are also being monitored for concussions.

The family members were transported to various hospitals via ambulance or airlift helicopter, where they received initial medical attention. However, there will be ongoing medical needs, surgeries, etc in the coming weeks, months and possibly years due to the extent of some of the injuries.

While these injuries are serious and will require a long and difficult healing process, this does not even touch on the emotional damage that was done to each victim or the visible scars and reminders of this accident that they will have to see possibly for the rest of their lives.

In addition, this family will have to deal with other burdens related to loss of wages and income, insurance claims, hospital bills, replacing their vehicle and retaining legal counsel to help them throughout this process and hopefully hold the suspected drunk driver accountable for this tragedy.

While everyone is so grateful that everyone will eventually be ok, we are asking for everyone's support to help this family during this very difficult road to healing and recovery. Not only do they have to heal from the physical and emotional injuries, but they will be significantly impacted financially while going through this process. If we can help lift even just some of that burden, I know they will be so grateful.

This is why we are hoping to raise as much money as possible for them. They will need all the help they can get to focus on their healing journeys without the stress of the inevitable financial burdens they will surely face.

On behalf of all family members and friends, we thank everyone in advance for any donation they can make at this time. No amount is too small! Any donation and generosity will be greatly appreciated. We will provide updates on their progress throughout the healing journey so everyone can continue to support them on their road to recovery and healing. This process will be long, but with the support of all of those that love them and the community coming together to help, we are confident that they will have the best recovery possible!

All donations will go DIRECTLY to the family to be used to cover expenses and lost income as a result of this terrible accident.

Thank you again from our family to yours and we wish everyone nothing but safety and happiness.