On Thursday night around 9 p.m., my mother (Toni Hackett, 63) and my daughter (Malina F. Chambers, 9) were driving southbound on a Route 495 ramp when a drunk driver slammed into them from behind.
Thank God for Seat Belts!
The impact was so violent that their vehicle flipped six times. The driver fled the scene on foot, leaving them trapped inside the wreckage.
Emergency responders and pedestrians had to pull them both out from under the vehicle. She suffered a broken femur, and both she and my mom were rushed to the hospital with severe concussions and extensive bruising. My mom also suffered multiple breaks and sprains throughout her body from the crash. My daughter had to have emergency surgery.
They remained in the hospital for several days and were finally released late Tuesday night.
Seeing the pictures of the car is almost impossible to process. The vehicle is completely destroyed, and it’s hard to believe anyone survived the crash.
Now the recovery process begins. My daughter currently has a hospital bed set up in our home and must somehow navigate 20 steps in the house while healing from a broken leg. Watching your child and mother try to move through pain and relearn basic mobility is something no parent is ever prepared for.
In the crash, many of our belongings were destroyed inside the vehicle, including phones and personal items. Between medical needs, recovery equipment, replacing essentials, and adjusting our home to help my daughter heal, we are facing overwhelming challenges.
This was a hit-and-run, and the driver responsible has still not been caught. We are working with law enforcement and hoping the person responsible is brought to justice.
Right now, we are asking our community, family, and anyone who feels moved to help to support us during this incredibly difficult time. Donations will help with medical recovery needs, replacing essential items lost in the crash, and helping us stabilize while my mom and daughter heal physically, spiritually, and mentally.
We are beyond grateful that they survived.
If you are able to donate or simply share our story, it would mean more to our family than words can express. Your support allows us to focus on healing and caring for one another during this incredibly difficult time.