COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – A Colorado woman has been hospitalized and fighting for her life for more than a month after she was struck from behind by an allegedly drunken motorcyclist while leaving a concert.
Aaften Wesbrock, 34, was leaving a concert in Sturgis, South Dakota, in early August when an allegedly drunken motorcyclist struck her from behind, causing her to hit her head. Her father, Chris Wesbrock, says she suffered a severe brain injury and has been fighting for her life at Monument Healthcare Rapid City Hospital ever since.
As soon as Aafton Wesbrock’s friends heard about the crash, they rushed to be by her side. The 34-year-old has been unresponsive and on life support for more than a month, KKTV reports.
“I was shocked and confused and sad and didn’t know exactly what was going on,” her friend, Miranda Colosimo, said. “We just got in the car within an hour of finding out and headed up to the hospital.”
After the initial injury, Aafton Wesbrock developed a blood clot where doctors removed part of her skull. Colosimo said she and doctors believed it was a miracle she made it through the night. Her father said Aug. 20 that she was on full life support with severe brain damage.
Nevertheless, her condition has recently been improving.
“She’s the most loving, caring, kind soul in this entire world, and she doesn’t deserve this,” Colosimo said. “To be worried about ‘Is she going to be the same person that she was before this happened?’ is an awful thought.”
Chris Wesbrock called Colosimo, saying when doctors asked his daughter to squeeze their hand, she was able to respond and lightly squeeze their finger. Colosimo said this was the biggest improvement they’ve seen so far.
“It’s hard to know what the future may hold, but I know Aaften’s a fighter,” Colosimo said. “I know that she’s always been a fighter. I know that she will not give up, and I know she’s going to keep fighting forever.”
As they wait, Aaften Wesbrock’s friends worked to make her hospital room the best environment possible for her to continue fighting. Colosimo said they created a photo wall and set up an avenue for people to send her virtual cards that they hung up on the wall.
“Even though she was unconscious, we would read the cards to her, so she could hear the kind words and loving support,” Colosimo said. “The point of it is really to humanize Aaften, so the doctors and the nurses get to know the Aaften that we know instead of just as a patient.”
Hearing stories of other survivors who had traumatic brain injuries has helped keep the 34-year-old’s family and friends hopeful. While doctors said that if she survives she would likely be looking at long-term medical and living assistance, survivors have reached out with their own stories of recovering and being able to live normal, productive lives.
“Miracles happen every day,” Colosimo said. “Those are the stories we are really holding onto, and it gives us hope that that could also be Aaften.”
Colosimo created a GoFundMe to help financially support Aaften Wesbrock and her family through her extensive recovery process.
“She’s a hustler,” Colosimo said. ”She’s always worked her butt off her entire life, and the last thing I want her to worry about when she wakes up is her finances.”
Just months before the crash, the 34-year-old, a Colorado native, moved to Colorado Springs to be close to her father. She recently began working as a bartender at the Shrunken Head Tiki downtown.
The bar’s owner, Audriana Zepeda, spoke to KKTV about her employee.
“Aaften just recently moved to Colorado Springs from Denver, and she made such a huge impact on the city in the short time she was here,” Zepeda said. “Something she was very vocal about is how much she loves her dad and how close they were.”
Aaften Wesbrock’s friends and family plan to hold a benefit Saturday at Rockabillies, a resturant in Arvada, to help raise money and show their never-ending support for the 34-year-old.
“It’s just to really rally for Aaften and show her what army is standing behind her while she’s fighting the biggest battle of her entire life,” Colosimo said.
The motorcyclist suspected of hitting Aaften Wesbrock has been identified as 34-year-old Robert Shipp. He was arrested and charged with vehicular battery along with driving under the influence. He bonded out of Meade County Jail a few days later.
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