Cheerleader Hit By Train Celebrates Birthday At Home
POSTED: 2:04 p.m. MST March 10, 2003
DENVER -- A Douglas County high school student hit by a train last November is home from the hospital just in time for her 17th birthday Tuesday.
Maureen "Missy" Martin (pictured, left), a cheerleader at Douglas County High School, has been undergoing brain injury rehabilitation at Craig Hospital following her release from Swedish Medical Center in December. She has five to eight months of outpatient therapy ahead of her, 7NEWS reported. Monday.
Martin was driving to school Nov. 12 when she became stuck in traffic, and her car stalled just in front of the railroad tracks on Fifth and Front streets in Castle Rock, 7NEWS reported.
Her boyfriend, Vinny Veruchi, 16, tried unsuccessfully to ram Martin's stalled car off the tracks with his vehicle. Veruchi wasn't injured in the accident.
The empty coal train was going about 40 mph when it broadsided Martin's car and pushed it 86 feet, 7NEWS reported. Martin suffered brain injuries and was initially in a coma following the accident.
Martin's dad said the family will have a quiet birthday celebration at home Tuesday.
"We'll have a cake for her, but that would be it," said David
Martin.
Maureen "Missy" Martin (pictured, left), a cheerleader at Douglas County High School, has been undergoing brain injury rehabilitation at Craig Hospital following her release from Swedish Medical Center in December. She has five to eight months of outpatient therapy ahead of her, 7NEWS reported. Monday.
Martin was driving to school Nov. 12 when she became stuck in traffic, and her car stalled just in front of the railroad tracks on Fifth and Front streets in Castle Rock, 7NEWS reported.
Her boyfriend, Vinny Veruchi, 16, tried unsuccessfully to ram Martin's stalled car off the tracks with his vehicle. Veruchi wasn't injured in the accident.
The empty coal train was going about 40 mph when it broadsided Martin's car and pushed it 86 feet, 7NEWS reported. Martin suffered brain injuries and was initially in a coma following the accident.
Martin's dad said the family will have a quiet birthday celebration at home Tuesday.
"We'll have a cake for her, but that would be it," said David
Martin.
Previous Stories:
- December 27, 2002: Railroads Won't Change Speeds, Schedules After Accident
- December 16, 2002: Girl Hit By Train Improving
- November 25, 2002: Condition Of Cheerleader Hit By Train Worsens
- November 18, 2002: Train Victim's Parents Plea For Change To Railroad Crossing
- November 13, 2002: Boyfriend Of Train Victim Called Hero
- November 12, 2002: Teen Critical After Train Rams Car
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