With that smile, Sarah Kostrna of Grants Pass is finally home, after a two-month road to recovery.
“I really missed Grants Pass. I gotta tell you it’s a lot better than Portland.”
On October 16th, the 17-year-old was crossing the highway in her Nissan Sentra and was struck by a pickup truck.
“We were always concerned that maybe she wouldn’t wake up out of the coma.”
Leaving her and a passenger smashed up against a guard rail.
“In almost 11 years of doing this job, it was probably one of the fastest extractions we’ve ever performed. It took about 11 to 12 minutes.”
Friends and family say they couldn’t think of a better way to welcome their beloved Sarah than by being there the moment she drove into town for the first time since October.
“We love her so much and we’re really happy to have her back.”
“I’m just feeling really overwhelmed not because the people are here. I’m fine around people. It’s just that all these people came to welcome me and I just really cant believe it. Its really surprising.”
A surprise her River Valley Community Church friends and loved ones say is well deserved, and a special moment for Mike Shaw with Rural Metro Fire who was one of the first on the scene of the accident.
“To be here and see the full recovery, the full circle, its really special. Its not all the time you get to see that in our line of work.”
Kostrna says she can’t wait to get back into her daily routine, enjoy some pizza, and play the piano and cello.
“Welcome home we’re glad to have you back and we’ll keep you safe.”
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