Worth County emergency personnel were called to Jewel Crowe Road at approximately 9:11 on Saturday morning in response to a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arriving on scene, EMTs found three sisters, 17-year-old twins Mikaela and Angela Hope, as well as their 14-year-old sister Hannah Croker all seriously injured.
Mikaela was driving Saturday morning when their Ford pickup truck drifted off of the roadway. Upon attempting to regain control of the vehicle, she overcorrected and sent the pick up across the road and into the ditch. The truck travelled several more feet and struck a tree before coming to a rest.
The driver was immediately transported via Life Flight helicopter to Tallahassee for treatment, while the other two sisters were taken to Phoebe in Albany via ambulance. However, the younger sister, Hannah, was later flown by helicopter to the children’s hospital in Atlanta when the severity of her injuries became apparent.
On Sunday, the family of the three girls released statements that the twins had both been released from the hospital and were back home recovering. Angela suffered a broken pelvis in the wreck and Mikaela had to undergo facial surgery. However, the younger sister sustained severe spinal injuries during the crash and underwent a pair of surgeries on Sunday. After two procedures, the teen was said to be responding as well as expected, but the doctors did not immediately know if the surgery was successful.
Family and friends are setting up fund raising efforts to help offset the tremendous cost associated with travel and medical expenses in the months to come. On Monday afternoon, a Lee County hair salon offered free haircuts for anyone willing to give a donation for the family. A Gofundme.com account has also been created in Hannah’s name. The Sylvester Local will provide updates on the condition of these three sisters and anything the community can do to help as information becomes available.