Hailey Evans was involved in a two-vehicle accident on Nov. 1 near Soldier Summit. For more than a month following the accident, Evans was in the hospital in critical condition.
The 21-year-old from Price attempted to make a last minute pass in front of a semi truck just before the passing lane ended. She lost control of the vehicle and swerved into the westbound travel lane. Evans’ car struck a vehicle in the oncoming lane and was ejected from her car. She was flown by Eagle AirMed in critical condition to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
Since the incident, Evans returned home just before Christmas to spend the holiday season with family and friends. While she may be sleeping in her own bed, Evans still struggles in her everyday life. The young girl suffers amnesia with new memories due to a brain injury sustained in the accident.
“We had a wonderful Christmas this year,” Evans’ mother shared on Facebook. “(I’m) so happy to have all my kids under the same roof. We would get the giggles cause Hailey would forget it was Christmas day, and we would show Hailey her gifts, and she thought they were new every time. It is a little shocking to the kids, but we made it all in fun.”
While returning home was high on the list of things to do for the Evans family, Hailey had set her sights on a greater calling. Hailey opened her mission call at the end of November while still in the hospital. She was called to serve a mission in Tallahassee, Fla. for The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints. It is not yet known if she will be able to respond by her report date on Jan. 21.
“We are not sure if she is going to be able to be healthy enough on her report date but she is surprising us everyday with her strength,” Evans’ mother shared on social media.
While Evans is making strides everyday in her health, she and her family still have a long road ahead of them with doctors visits and a mountain of medical bills. Therefore, locals have rallied to assist the family during their time of need with a fundraiser.
On Jan, 15, an event will be hosted at the USU Eastern Student Center from 4-8 p.m. Fundraising efforts will consist of a spaghetti dinner, Zumba, booths and a bake sale as well and manicures and pedicures for those in attendance. Dinner tickets can be purchased beforehand at Price Auto Group for $5 per person or $20 per immediate family. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Information about the upcoming fundraiser can be seen below.
#prayforhay is being used on social media as a means for people to follow Evans’ recovery and connect with her friends and family. Evans’ mother posts regularly on Facebook regarding her progress.
