Lincoln teen's road to recovery after Memorial Day weekend crash
Her family thought she had died, along with two others, when two cars crashed into a crowd during Memorial Day weekend.
Her family thought she had died, along with two others, when two cars crashed into a crowd during Memorial Day weekend.
Her family thought she had died, along with two others, when two cars crashed into a crowd during Memorial Day weekend.
An 18-year-old survivor of a deadly Lincoln crash is taking her first steps toward recovery.
We first told you about Hannah Wadiso back in June.
Her family thought she had died, along with two others, when two cars crashed into a crowd during Memorial Day weekend.
Two weeks ago, the teenager returned home and walking for the first time since the crash.
"I'm good. I'm healing," Hannah said.
The recent Southeast High School graduate said it has been a difficult and scary recovery.
"I was really surprised that I could do it again," Hannah said.
She was in a crowd watching an unofficial "cruise night" on O Street in Lincoln when two cars collided close to where she standing — she nearly died.
"I remember when it first happened, the cars just going super fast. And then I heard loud brakes just coming toward me and then I don't remember anything from there," Hannah said.
One of the cars rolled on top of Hannah, crushing her pelvis and causing internal injuries.
Bystanders lifted the car off her and another person.
"It was just a miracle," Hannah's father, Tesfaye Ailbe, said.
When he arrived at the scene, he thought Hannah was one of the two women who died.
He found out nearly two hours later she was barely alive.
Now he's grateful for every step of her recovery.
"This is the greatest thing that ever happened. From discouragement, hopelessness, seeing hopes, future... encouraging," Ailbe said.
He said they are grateful for all the prayers and support.
"It just really warms up our hearts. So my really, really, really greatest thank you goes to the people," Ailbe said.
One of those people, Rainee Penfield, saw KETV's original story.
"I was in tears, just watching Tesfaye's interview," Penfield said.
She knew Ailbe when he owned Ajora Falls, a Lincoln restaurant.
Penfield reached out and set up a GoFundMe to help pay for Hannah's medical expenses.
"As a mom, as a nurse, everything, just feeling that would be horrific," Penfield said.
Ailbe said he and his wife have taken off work to care for Hannah and her brother who has special needs.
He said the medical bills are piling up — the suspect's insurance in the fatal crash has not paid anything yet.
But that's not where Ailbe's focus has been.
"All are at home and together, again," Ailbe said.
Hannah said her recovery has strengthened her desire to go into the medical profession someday.
"They change people's lives. And they helped me. So I want to do the same," Hannah said.
Her plans for college are on hold for now, but she knows there's a reason why she is still alive.
"I think it's because there's something for me to do. My family needs me," Hannah said.
The Midwest Rollers Car Club and Rebels Auto Club have planned a fundraiser on Labor Day. T-shirt sales and another GoFundme will benefit Hannah and 17-year-old Aaron Swanson, the other teen seriously hurt in the collision.