SALT LAKE CITY — While a young mother and her newborn baby recover from a car crash that left two teenagers dead last week, her husband is thanking Utahns for their prayers and support.
Last Thursday, a crash killed two West High School students and injured another when their Chevy Imapla crossed the median on 300 West near 700 North and hit a Honda Pilot head-on.
Amy Wilson, the pregnant woman driving the Honda, was still listed in critical condition Monday, but her husband said she is recovering — as is their newborn baby girl.
"We're just taking it a day at a time," Kyle Wilson, Amy's husband, said Monday. Amy Wilson was just five weeks from away delivering her baby when the crash happened. Doctors opted to deliver the little girl via cesarean section shortly after her injured mother arrived at University Hospital.
The Wilsons live in Colorado Springs, which is where Kyle Wilson was when the crash happened. He rushed to the airport as soon as he heard the news.
"Before I left the airport I knew she was in critical condition, but I didn't know if I was going to land to my wife being dead," he said. "That was the hardest part."
He got more news just after he passed through airport security.
"My phone started ringing. I thought, 'I should take that,' and one of the nurses told me, 'Did they tell you your baby's been born?'" Kyle Wilson said. "I said 'no,' and I started tearing up. It was a joy. I was so happy.'"
Both Kyle and Amy Wilson are originally from the Salt Lake City area. She was on her way to the Salt Lake Temple when the accident happened, her brother, Matthew Stevenson, posted on a GoFundMe page. The new father said he's been flooded with family support and the love hasn't stopped there.
"It's been amazing to see thousands and thousands of people praying for us. I've received tons of texts and calls," he said. "You hear about something nice that people are saying, or (they're) reaching out — 'Can I help?' or 'Praying for you' — and it just means a lot. I just tear up thinking about it."
Stevenson set up the GoFundMe page for the Colorado couple to help cover medical bills. Kyle Wilson said that's just one of many ways people have helped out.
"The only thing I keep saying over and over again is, 'Keep praying,'" he said. "We've had lots of group fasts on our behalf, and we've really felt that support. We've seen lots of miracles. We know God's hand is in our lives."
According to Stevenson, his sister lost a kidney, her spleen and is still fighting a traumatic brain injury on top of multiple bone fractures in her pelvis and ribs, and an open knee fracture. The baby is still being monitored for damage to her kidneys, liver and brain due to the lack of oxygen at birth. Both are in critical condition.
Doctors don't know how long it will take for mother and child to recover. Kyle Wilson hopes his wife is well enough soon to help with a pretty important task.
"We hadn't picked a name out, and I don't think I will until Amy's there," he said.
Kyle Wilson also wanted to send a message to families of the other people involved in the crash.
"I'm just feeling so bad for them, and my heart goes out them and their families," he said. "I know one (person) was injured as well. … I don't have any negative feelings toward any of the individuals involved in the car accident or their families. I just hope they're doing OK and that they can heal, too."
Vidal Pacheco, 17, and Dylan Hernandez, 18, were killed in the accident, Salt Lake City police said. The 18-year-old driver of the Chevy, Abraham Miranda, was taken to a local hospital with critical but not life-threatening injuries.
There were early reports that the Chevy may have been racing another vehicle when the crash happened, but police are still investigating.
Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc