PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) – Two sisters in Arizona are in critical condition after a suspected drunken driver crashed into them while on the way to Utah for Thanksgiving.
Last Friday, 24-year-old Sabrina and 22-year-old Jessica Wilhite were on their way to Salt Lake City for a week of family fun and to wish their brother the best before going on a two-year-long church mission trip.
“And unfortunately, they weren’t able to be there to send him off. They were fighting for their lives in the hospital instead,” said their mother, Jen.
While on the way, the family said the sisters were on Route 89 when a pickup truck turned in front of them, causing a T-bone collision.
Witnesses told the Wilhites the driver stayed on scene, and Good Samaritans stepped in until first responders arrived.
“We’re so grateful for them. They held their hands. They held their heads, tried to keep them calm, prevented them from going into shock,” said Brent.
The family said Sabrina took the brunt of the wreck since she was driving.
“We had to make the excruciatingly painful decision to have her arm amputated in an effort to save her life. So, that is obviously a life-altering outcome of this crash. Just a senseless crash that didn’t have to happen, but her life is now forever altered because of it,” said Brent.
Their father said seeing his personal and professional lives collide is painful.
He’s spent the last two decades advocating for traffic safety through his work with Utah’s Zero Fatalities program, which Sabrina was also involved in.
Although the road to recovery will be long, this family is giving thanks for their daughters’ survival.
“Honestly, our faith in God is the only thing getting us through this right now. We absolutely believe that He spared their lives. We believe that they’re here because of God,” said Jen.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Jen Wilhite.
As of now, it’s unclear if anyone involved in the crash has been arrested.
A GoFundMe page was created to help the family during this difficult time.
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