Junior Recovering From Tragic Car Accident
March 19, 2016
Story By: Izzy Jaynes
Just minutes after the school bell on February 26, a loud bang permeated from 24 highway, just south of the school, and a chaotic scene played out as a three-car accident left junior Shelley Cunningham in serious condition.
Cunningham, a junior, was leaving school when a truck hit her car.
Skylar McHardie, who witnessed the whole accident, said that she saw the truck trying to turn onto Parker and hit Cunningham's car head on, causing it to slide into the other lane.
McHardie then had to slam on her breaks to avoid another accident.
Cunningham’s car was totaled and hydraulic rescue tools were used to extricate her from the vehicle. Shelley was left in critical condition and rushed to Center Point.
“When it all happened, I was in shock and trying to figure out what I had just seen. I didn’t even know that it was Shelley in the car until after they cut her out,” said McHardie.
The driver of the truck, which was stolen, fled the scene and was found by a police dog about an hour or so after the accident occurred. Charges are currently pending.
Cunningham spent around two weeks at Center Point and is now in Nebraska going through rehabilitation. She will stay there for 6 weeks.
“I’m still in pain, but things are getting better,” said Cunningham
She has underwent many surgeries to fix the injuries she sustained and is now taking part in many types of therapy.
“It has been a long process, but she has been fighting really hard and has overcome so many challenges already,” said Cameron Watters, who is a friend of Cunningham’s.
Students here at Chrisman are selling bracelets and have created a GoFundMe to help support the Cunningham family.
Close friend of Cunningham, Sarah McFarland said that she “hopes Shelley will one day be able to do what she loves again, which is cheer and dance,”
News Coverage From Accident:
http://fox4kc.com/2016/02/29/independence-teen-hurt-in-crash-upgraded-from-critical-to-serious-condition/
http://www.kmbc.com/news/teens-condition-improves-after-hitandrun-crash/38257610
http://fox4kc.com/2016/03/06/vigil-held-for-teen-seriously-injured-in-independence-crash/
Story By: Izzy Jaynes
Just minutes after the school bell on February 26, a loud bang permeated from 24 highway, just south of the school, and a chaotic scene played out as a three-car accident left junior Shelley Cunningham in serious condition.
Cunningham, a junior, was leaving school when a truck hit her car.
Skylar McHardie, who witnessed the whole accident, said that she saw the truck trying to turn onto Parker and hit Cunningham's car head on, causing it to slide into the other lane.
McHardie then had to slam on her breaks to avoid another accident.
Cunningham’s car was totaled and hydraulic rescue tools were used to extricate her from the vehicle. Shelley was left in critical condition and rushed to Center Point.
“When it all happened, I was in shock and trying to figure out what I had just seen. I didn’t even know that it was Shelley in the car until after they cut her out,” said McHardie.
The driver of the truck, which was stolen, fled the scene and was found by a police dog about an hour or so after the accident occurred. Charges are currently pending.
Cunningham spent around two weeks at Center Point and is now in Nebraska going through rehabilitation. She will stay there for 6 weeks.
“I’m still in pain, but things are getting better,” said Cunningham
She has underwent many surgeries to fix the injuries she sustained and is now taking part in many types of therapy.
“It has been a long process, but she has been fighting really hard and has overcome so many challenges already,” said Cameron Watters, who is a friend of Cunningham’s.
Students here at Chrisman are selling bracelets and have created a GoFundMe to help support the Cunningham family.
Close friend of Cunningham, Sarah McFarland said that she “hopes Shelley will one day be able to do what she loves again, which is cheer and dance,”
News Coverage From Accident:
http://fox4kc.com/2016/02/29/independence-teen-hurt-in-crash-upgraded-from-critical-to-serious-condition/
http://www.kmbc.com/news/teens-condition-improves-after-hitandrun-crash/38257610
http://fox4kc.com/2016/03/06/vigil-held-for-teen-seriously-injured-in-independence-crash/