A Thankful Search: Crash Victim Meets Good Samaritan
Nov 21, 2018, 11:49 PM | Updated: Nov 22, 2018, 2:17 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Thanksgiving is a time to come together, but Utah isn’t where the Green family planned to meet up.
“No, we’re from Oregon,” said Diane Green-Marci, speaking with KSL outside of the University of Utah Hospital. “Me and my other daughter flew out Saturday morning after we got the phone call from Andrea.”
Andrea “Drea” Green’s car was hit head-on by a suspected drunk driver on state Route 40, near Strawberry Reservoir on Nov. 17.
“A lot of broken bones, a lot of bruising,” said her mom, Green-Marci.
Drea, 28, a recent Colorado resident, and her dog were on their way home to celebrate the holiday in Oregon.
“When I saw the pictures of her car, you can’t help but just be amazed. It was a miracle that she made it through it,” said her mom.
Drea and her dog who passed away
While Drea’s dog passed away in the crash, the Greens are grateful their daughter, sister, strong and spirited friend is alive.
“One of the guys that was trying to help her, he ran to his car and he got a…,” said Green-Marci choking up, “fire extinguisher out and put the fire out before the fire department got there. I feel like he saved her life.”
So while Drea rests up in her hospital room, her friends and family have been searching for the good Samaritan.
“I’m just so thankful that he was there and he was prepared and he stopped,” said Green-Marci.
Good Samaritan meets Drea’s mother and sister.
As we heard Drea’s mom’s plea for the public’s help, unbeknownst to us, Utah Highway Patrol phoned up the hero, Blake Grundvig of North Salt Lake, who eventually met us at the hospital.
He happened upon the crash on his way hunting. He says he assumed Drea was dead at first.
While the Greens would never have dreamed that their Thanksgiving would land them here, they’ve come together with a lot more to be thankful for.
“She is lucky to be alive; that was a horrible wreck,” said Grundvig, emotional.
Drea meeting Good Samaritan, Blake Grundvig
Drea’s family is not sure how long her recovery will take or how long she’ll need care out of state.
She doesn’t have medical insurance.
Her friends have created fundraisers for her on Go Fund Me and Facebook.
