Romana Benoit was struck by a car early Sunday morning.
Lively, and the larger community, are stepping up to do what they can for her family.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Andrea Benoit, sister-in-law to Romana, shared what details she could.
“Romana, or 'Ro' was participating in a fitness challenge for the weekend. Over 48 hours she was running around the block every four hours. It was night at this point. Concerned about wildlife, she decided to go on her bike during one of the sessions. Her bike has lights and reflective material.
“On her way back home at about 1 Sunday (April 11) morning, a car struck her. I’ve seen the bike and it is absolutely mangled. If she had been running she could quite possibly be dead.”
Facial fractures will need some plastic surgery.
“I’m just glad she is alive. It’s a miracle.”
Santala Road, near Neimi, in Lively was closed during and after emergency vehicles arrived.
“It’s a paved road, but it is a mess. It is narrow and in bad repair,” stated Benoit. “If this doesn’t get the City of (Greater) Sudbury to fix it, I don’t know what will.”
The incident occurred just couple of hundred metres from Benoit’s driveway.
The extent of her injuries includes two spinal fractures (the one in her neck is often called “A Hangman’s fracture”), a broken shoulder, broken hip, a concussion and “lots of road rash.”
Because of COVID protocols, husband Marc Benoit, is the only one allowed in the hospital, but other family members have communicated by video link.
Her injuries will be life-long, but medical staff is hoping she will be walking by August. The community has rallied together and donations continue to pour in by the minute.
Andrea Benoit is hopeful. “She is still in hospital and likely faces quite the recovery time.”
Now conscious, she can talk and has sensation in all four of her extremities.
“We don’t know what she will need when she comes out of hospital. On Wednesday they got her up into a walker, but she may require adjustments at home including rails, assistive devices, modifications.”
Benoit, the mother of two young children (a four-year old girl and two year old boy) will likely have challenges lifting, and carrying; she will need help with the children, while she rest and recovers.
Born in the Czech Republic, Benoit grew up in Canada and she and Marc met through mutual friends.
“She came specifically to Laurentian University to earn her certification to teach and is currently employed at MacLeod Public (School).” MacLeod is part of the Rainbow School District.
Residents of Santala Road, the Benoits are familiar with the street. “Ro is a runner a performance athlete. She runs this road daily. Seriously hard-core she is in fantastic shape and the hope is that this will help in her recovery,” says her sister-in-law.
Support is coming from across the community. “People are driving by with food. Someone offered a freezer and within a minute someone said ‘I have a truck’ and then it was here. Lively has the philosophy ‘You are our neighbour and we are going to help you ’… it astonishing. It is an amazing community; that’s why we chose to raise our kids here.”
Benoit’s brother–in-law, Eric Benoit, was aware of GoFundMe. The crowdfunding platform aids in raising money for events and challenging circumstances; like accidents and illnesses.
Reaching him while he was changing his brother’s tires, he said: “People wanted to help. This gives them a way to help. I put the GoFundMe up on Monday morning. I thought I’d set a target of $5,000, Now we are up above $23,000.
"The whole community is stepping up. Lively is very good for that. I know a lot of expenses can add up quickly, like child care. Insurance will kick in eventually, but there are lots of things you can’t predict.”
There is a picture of the family on the GoFundMe page. More than 222 people had donated by Wednesday evening.
The driver remained at the site of the accident and it is understood he was not under the influence of any intoxicant, nor was speed an issue.
“People are now driving slower and giving lots of room,” Andrea Benoit said.
Greater Sudbury Police confirmed the 19-year-old has been charged with careless driving causing bodily harm and improper headlights.
To view the GoFundMe, please visit: ca.gf.me/v/c/r9q/help-romana-and-marc-recover.
The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @SudburyStar
Hugh Kruzel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Sudbury Star
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