Crash victim comes home for holiday

BROOKSTON, Ind. (WLFI) - Five months ago Brookston native Ashlee Roy was involved in a car crash that almost ended her life. This Thanksgiving she is back home with family and friends.

In June, Roy was rear-ended by a man who police said was intoxicated. The accident left Roy with severe burns over her entire body and she spent months in the hospital.

"We were hoping for Christmas, but it came a little faster than that," Roy said.

"I didn't think this day would come, and I am so happy that she's here," said Roy's mother Amy Sanford. "And we have a lot to be thankful for, because we really were not sure Ashlee was going to make it."

Sanford said she's still finds her daughter's return home unbelievable. An early homecoming was cause for celebration for Roy's three year old daughter Riley.

"She would always say 'Mommy when are you coming home? When are you coming home? Can't wait for you to come home.' And the night that I came home with my mom, my mom pulled up in the van and she thought my mom was just getting out of the van. And when she came and looked and saw me she came running out of the door in her pajamas!" Roy said.

The accident at the intersection of State Roads 43 and 225 changed Roy's life forever. Now her mother calls her holiday homecoming nothing short of a miracle.

"It's our own Thanksgiving miracle, exactly. You always hear, and see, and think about other people that it happens to, and you're heart goes out to them. But when it happens to you, it just puts a whole new light on everything. We're just really, really happy that Ashlee is here," Sanford said.

During her month and a half long stay in the hospital, Roy became close with many of the nurses and doctors at St. Vincent Seton Hospital. Roy and Sanford both believe her quick recovery was thanks in large part to the staff there.

"I am really grateful to Seton. I know because of the fact I work there, they made special efforts. But it's also a great team. They did exactly what I needed them to do, which is wean her off the vent, and got her up and walking so I could take her home," Sanford said.

The other driver involved in the crash Jared Manny is set to appear in court in December on charges of Driving While Intoxicated and Driving Under the Influence of a controlled substance.