Help Support Jennifer Smith After a Serious Bicycle Collision

Reginald Webb

On July 2, Jennifer was seriously injured in a bicycle collision in Palo Alto. Jennifer and I were riding back home from the train station when everything changed in an instant.

I was riding behind Jennifer when the collision happened. From where I was, the bus turned right in front of us, and Jennifer was struck. I yelled, but there was nothing I could do fast enough to stop what happened. I ran after the bus, banging on the side while others honked their horns, trying to get it to stop.

I will never forget seeing Jennifer hurt like that. I held her while we waited for help to arrive, feeling terrified and helpless. That image is something I cannot get out of my mind.

Deb Landers Hoyle

This is my daughter, Jennifer Smith. On July 2nd she was hit by a charter bus while riding her bike in Palo Alto, CA. The impact threw her under the bus and wrapped her around the axle.

To say the least she received numerous injuries.

Jennifer was in a coma for 3 days after the accident and coded once in ICU. She also required a tracheostomy, which since a week ago has been removed.

She is making many improvements in her condition, but is looking at a long term stay in a rehab facility.

Any donation to assist her financially or prayers are truly appreciated.

Jennifer Smith

I was hit by a bus while riding my bicycle and I SURVIVED. It has been 6 weeks and I spend most of those days asleep or in a coma like a damaged Snow White. I could hear voices of doctors, nurses and my friends; I also had fragmented pieces of memories of the accident. By the time I woke up I had no doubts what put me in hospital and how my life changed in a second.

Now I try and focus on the right here and now because thinking of the violent impact or the plans I had for my life means visiting a grief that I can only tolerate in small doses.

It’s easier for me to think about daily accomplishments like standing up on one fragmented foot for a few seconds while being guided to a bedside chair, or the day my trachea was removed and my voice came back to life, or the day I was able to eat solid food, for which I celebrated with a small portion of cheeseburger and fries.

Thinking about these things is the positive respite I need from dwelling on all the plans I had being derailed or missing my old life. Overcoming daily adversities makes hope feel realistic… Hope for a new life that is as fulfilling as the life I had planned.

I want to thank those who have prayed for me, send messages of encouragement, or have donated to the GoFundMe.