Blessed with a tremendous love for each other the lives of Joshua Staeuble and Nicole Johnson was wrecked by tragedy by a car accident in the early morning of July 4. The future of the couple, who was engaged to be married was severely dimmed but the Heart 2 Heart group of Tipp City is working to restore some brightness.
Heart 2 Heart is a service organization that helps others with a variety of needs. To help cover the medical bills from the accident, which has already accumulated to over one million dollars, they are holding a benefit ice cream social on Saturday, August 21 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. It’s an especially personal cause for Heart 2 Heart due to Staeuble’s mother, Lisa, and his aunt, Tina Nevels, are both members.
Just a mile from their home in Huber Heights, a young driver reported to be going over 100 miles per hour, crashed into the back of the couples car on I-70 East. The heavy impact propelled them into the concrete barrier with such force that Johnson’s head went through the passenger sides window into the barrier. Fortunately, Staeuble was not seriously injured and was able to attend to Johnson, discovering she had no pulse. He was able to resuscitate her with CPR until emergency crews arrived and rushed her to Miami Valley Hospital.
Johnson was kept in ICU for 13 days on a ventilator. All the bones in her face were broken, bleeding of the brain, five broken ribs, dislocated vertebrae in her neck, bruised lung and a lacerated liver were among her injuries. Reconstructive face surgery has been performed and several pins and plates placed throughout her body.
“She’s had over 30 hours of surgery,” said Vulgamore, founder of Heart 2 Heart.
The long recovery process continues for Johnson, the challenges are infinite, but she is able to peek open her eyes and tries to communicate with her free hand. Through it all, day after day, Staeuble has stayed by her side.
Heart 2 Heart hopes to alleviate a part of the financial burden with the ice cream social, made even greater by the lack of insurance. “The day before the accident Nichole had quit her job to start a new one at Miami Valley Hospital,” said Vulgamore.
The other driver, also 21 years old, is also believed to have no insurance and only received a traffic ticket for the accident.
All the ice cream for the benefit is being donated by Foodtown, and will be a dollar per scoop. Hot dogs, sloppy joe’s, chips and soda will also be available. Any businesses interested in contributing prizes or gift certificates can contact Vulgamore at 286-3584.
The benefit is August, 21 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 753 S. Hyatt Street.
