Jessica’s story and brief history
August 23, 2006
A Life-changing Accident
On Wednesday, August 23rd, Jessica Krehbiel was driving along highway 89 from Mapleton to Springville to visit a friend. As she cruised down the Mapleton hill, a car pulled out in front of her, causing her to swerve dramatically to miss a direct collision. In her attempt to avert tragedy, Jessica lost control and careened sideways into oncoming traffic. Her car suffered a direct impact in the passenger door by another car at high speed. The accident crushed Jessica’s car like an accordion, sending her flying out the passenger window, suffering a tremendous blow to her head on the way, off the other car and landing on the highway. Jessica was not wearing her seatbelt that day, though she often did. She was knocked unconscious.The first to arrive on the scene were two young men, traveling separately, both of whom stopped to see what they could do to help. Upon seeing Jessica’s condition, the first immediately called 911 to request an ambulance. The second young man, Darren Robinson had just completed an advanced first aid course that EMTs take in their training. He saw Jessica was not breathing and carefully moved her head to open her airway. Jessica was unconscious and bleeding profusely from her head wound, but had not a single other scratch on her body except a dime-size scrape on her left wrist. Darren worked to stop the bleeding while the ambulance was coming. An ambulance soon arrived and radioed for a life-flight helicopter to aid. Paramedics treated Jessica to stop bleeding and try to stabilize her. In the meantime, all traffic was diverted away from the scene for several hours. Jessica was life-flighted to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and family was notified. She was placed in Intensive Care at the hospital and is still there as of this writing (September 1, 2006). She has not regained consciousness and remains in a comma.Immediately, family and friends surrounded the Krehbiel family to offer prayers and support. Local church members and neighbors expressed their great desire to help in any way. But it seemed all that could be done was to pray.
A Life-changing Accident
On Wednesday, August 23rd, Jessica Krehbiel was driving along highway 89 from Mapleton to Springville to visit a friend. As she cruised down the Mapleton hill, a car pulled out in front of her, causing her to swerve dramatically to miss a direct collision. In her attempt to avert tragedy, Jessica lost control and careened sideways into oncoming traffic. Her car suffered a direct impact in the passenger door by another car at high speed. The accident crushed Jessica’s car like an accordion, sending her flying out the passenger window, suffering a tremendous blow to her head on the way, off the other car and landing on the highway. Jessica was not wearing her seatbelt that day, though she often did. She was knocked unconscious.The first to arrive on the scene were two young men, traveling separately, both of whom stopped to see what they could do to help. Upon seeing Jessica’s condition, the first immediately called 911 to request an ambulance. The second young man, Darren Robinson had just completed an advanced first aid course that EMTs take in their training. He saw Jessica was not breathing and carefully moved her head to open her airway. Jessica was unconscious and bleeding profusely from her head wound, but had not a single other scratch on her body except a dime-size scrape on her left wrist. Darren worked to stop the bleeding while the ambulance was coming. An ambulance soon arrived and radioed for a life-flight helicopter to aid. Paramedics treated Jessica to stop bleeding and try to stabilize her. In the meantime, all traffic was diverted away from the scene for several hours. Jessica was life-flighted to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and family was notified. She was placed in Intensive Care at the hospital and is still there as of this writing (September 1, 2006). She has not regained consciousness and remains in a comma.Immediately, family and friends surrounded the Krehbiel family to offer prayers and support. Local church members and neighbors expressed their great desire to help in any way. But it seemed all that could be done was to pray.
August 27
A Day of Fasting & Prayer
Members of Jessica’s home ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a special day of fasting and prayer on Sunday. Two missions of the Church also held special fasts, one of which was the mission of a young man Jessica had been faithfully writing. The Elder was permitted to speak with Jessica’s family, and was encouraged to remain on his mission. The first baptism of his mission was on Saturday, August 26th. He spoke with Jessica’s mother after the services and inquired regarding her condition.
A Day of Fasting & Prayer
Members of Jessica’s home ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a special day of fasting and prayer on Sunday. Two missions of the Church also held special fasts, one of which was the mission of a young man Jessica had been faithfully writing. The Elder was permitted to speak with Jessica’s family, and was encouraged to remain on his mission. The first baptism of his mission was on Saturday, August 26th. He spoke with Jessica’s mother after the services and inquired regarding her condition.
August 28
Giving Blood in Jessica’s Honor
While Jessica did not require a blood transfusion, one neighbor felt it would be a tribute to her to conduct a blood drive in her honor. The community rallied to the cause in an effort to do something to demonstrate their support. The results were overwhelming. The blood services company said that donations this time of year were typically low and that the Utah blood bank was dangerously low going into the Labor Day weekend which often created a great demand.
Giving Blood in Jessica’s Honor
While Jessica did not require a blood transfusion, one neighbor felt it would be a tribute to her to conduct a blood drive in her honor. The community rallied to the cause in an effort to do something to demonstrate their support. The results were overwhelming. The blood services company said that donations this time of year were typically low and that the Utah blood bank was dangerously low going into the Labor Day weekend which often created a great demand.
The blood drive was held in a Mapleton church building on Monday night. It was scheduled to run from 6 to 9 pm. The bishopric member in charge of the building that night said he did not lock the building until after 11:30. There were over 100 units of blood given that night, which was a record amount for the time of year. Support was stunning. That night, “Pray for Jessica” signs sprung up around the community.This same day, a long-term illness counselor visited with the parents and told them to prepare for a long road. This was a painful but necessary discussion. They were told to begin looking for a long-term care facility that could handle brain trauma patients.
August 29
MRI
Since Jessica had improved somewhat, although still in a deep coma, it was possible for her to have an MRI to scan her brain and neck for injuries. Late in the afternoon, a doctor gave them preliminary results that there had been some brain shear. Doctors know where but do not know the extent or how severe.
MRI
Since Jessica had improved somewhat, although still in a deep coma, it was possible for her to have an MRI to scan her brain and neck for injuries. Late in the afternoon, a doctor gave them preliminary results that there had been some brain shear. Doctors know where but do not know the extent or how severe.