07/7/2010
Pray for Lacey Wilson.
Surrounded by her family, 15-year-old Lacey Wilson remains hospitalized in critical-but-stable condition after being hit by a van in a Military West crosswalk last week, relatives said Tuesday.
So far, only immediate family members have been allowed to visit Wilson’s bedside at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. But friends of the Benicia High School student have been populating the hospital’s waiting room, the girl’s aunt Mallorie Wilson said.
“We know Lacey will be back to us,” said Nina Wilson, the girl’s mother. “She has never gone by a clock — she does everything on her own time, no matter how fast or slow. We’re on Lacey time right now.”
The family has at least one other cloud on the horizon, in addition to Lacey’s health, and that is whether the injured teen is covered by medical insurance. Lacey was hit during a five-day window between when one insurance policy was dropped and a new one was scheduled to replace it, Nina Wilson said.
Wilson and 14-year-old Jorden Herbert were injured when they were struck by a van while crossing Military West westbound at West 2nd Street about 8:20 p.m. Thursday. The van was traveling westbound, toward the setting sun.
Although there is a stop sign on West Second Street, there is no such sign or traffic signal on Military West. However, a yellow pedestrian sign faces motorists in the center of the crosswalk.
Wilson, who remains sedated, is recovering from four skull fractures, two pelvic
fractures and a leg fracture, in addition to a brain injury — generally “a hurt little girl,” said Monica Wilson, her grandmother.Herbert, who lives in Texas but is in Benicia visiting family, has been treated and released for a leg injury, police said.
The teenagers were walking home from the downtown Benicia’s Farmers Market when the horrific collision occurred, Lacey’s grandmother said.
“It’s a long process — it’s very slow, but things are going in the right direction,” she said. “It’s really an emotional roller coaster.”
Family members said Lacey is a thoughtful daughter who once commemorated her grandfather’s passing by buying a stuffed bear and decorating it in military regalia. Her grandmother dubbed her a “little rocker girl.”
Mallorie Wilson has reached out in her own way to support her injured niece, starting a Facebook.com group and gathering donations to offset potentially mounting medical costs. So far, the “Supporting & Praying for Lacey Wilson” group has gathered at least 179 members since Saturday.
Holding back tears, Mallorie Wilson said her niece has “lots of family support.”
“We’re just sick to our stomach,” the aunt said. “The whole family has been distraught. Her other grandmother from Colorado flew out yesterday. It’s really hard seeing her in there, and just having a tube down her and hoping that she’s going to come out of it, and she’s OK.”
Police said the van’s driver, 49-year-old Bruce Ricketts, of Benicia, may have been blinded by the setting sun and did not see the teenagers in the crosswalk. However, an investigation is still pending.
There were no indications that Ricketts was speeding, distracted or impaired, police Lt. Mike Daley said. So far, Ricketts has not been cited.
In the meantime, the Benicia Police Department is working with the city’s traffic engineer to measure average speeds at the busy intersection, which is located near Benicia City Park and the main fire station.
“It almost takes someone to almost get killed in order for something to happen. That’s the upsetting part,” said the girl’s grandmother, who has been at the hospital daily along with other family since the accident.
The family’s father is unemployed and job hunting. Financial contributions would offset the teen’s long-term medical care, relatives said.
How to help:
Lacey Wilson’s Facebook page: “Supporting & Praying for Lacey Wilson.”
Donations: Wells Fargo bank, in care of Lacey Wilson, account 1814644546.
Please Please pray for this girl! :/
