Accident victim recovering; parents credit volunteers

Jamie Ohl, the WSU student who was critically injured in a one-car accident near Dusty three weeks ago, remains at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane where she continues to recover from injuries. She is the daughter of Phil and Diane Ohl of Richland.

Ohl was driving back to Pullman early May 30 when she lost control of the 2002 Ford Escape. The car rolled multiple times and came to a halt on its top.

Ohl had been working at Pullman Building Supply while attending school. The crew at the supply and some of the customers Friday are conducting a bake sale to help the Ohl family with medical expenses.

Phil Ohl Monday reported his daughter remained in the intensive care unit at Sacred Heart for nine days. He said she underwent what they hope will be the last operation Monday, and they expect her to be back home at Richland some time in the middle of July.

Ohl noted the family is especially grateful to LaCrosse and Colfax volunteers who worked to extricate their daughter from the wrecked car. Ohl said the rescuers, led by Scott Kruse of Colfax and Dean Wigen of LaCrosse, not only saved their daughter’s life but saved the use of her legs. She had sustained a spinal injury, but the rescuers carefully secured her body to prevent spinal cord injuries.

He credited the support of local communities and employers who provide training and equipment for the volunteers and noted for their daughter it will mean essentially a full recovery.