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AROUND THE SHIELD — The 5-year-old girl who was in critical condition and in a coma following a crash involving the son of Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is now awake, the family said Monday in a brief online post.
Ariel Young, who was one of two children hospitalized when former Chiefs assistant Britt Reid's car crashed into their families' vehicles on Feb. 4, was awoken Monday, according to a short post on the family's GoFundMe* page organized by Ariel's aunt. The other girl, a 4-year-old cousin of Young, was hospitalized with serious injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, according to Kansas City police.
The post, which has raised over $500,000 since Feb. 6, simply said "Ariel is awake." An earlier post thanked the well-wishers and contributors who have donated to the family in their time of need, adding that the family wants to print some of the thousands of messages they've received to show Ariel "when she is older."
"While she is awake, she is not the same happy free spirited little girl she was before this horrific crash," wrote Tiffany Verhulst, who set up the account, on Tuesday afternoon. "She has a long road to recovery and the things that were once easy for her will no longer be.
"We are so happy she is awake yet so sad at the toll this took on her body and brain. We are thankful for the continued support and love for her right now. No family or child should ever have to go through this."
Kansas City police said the crash occurred near Arrowhead Stadium when Britt Reid's truck slammed into two vehicles near a freeway entrance ramp. The collision injured the two girls and Reid, who underwent surgery for several injuries confirmed but not detailed by team personnel.
Andy Reid said the day after the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that his son was recovering from surgery following the accident. Britt Reid did not travel with the team to Tampa Bay for the NFL's championship game.
"My heart goes out to all those that were involved in the accident, in particular the family of the little girl who is fighting for her life," the former BYU offensive lineman said after his team's 31-9 loss. "It's a tough situation. I can't comment on it anymore … but from a human standpoint, my heart bleeds for everyone involved in that."
Britt Reid, 35, was placed on administrative leave following the accident, and when his contract expired following the season, the Chiefs did not renew it, according to ESPN.
Police said Reid told investigators he had "two or three drinks" as well as a prescription for Adderall the night of the crash, according to a Kansas City police affidavit. No charges were filed against the now-former assistant coach, and an investigation into Reid's impairment remains ongoing.
Reid had been with the Chiefs organization since his father was hired as the franchise's head coach in 2013, most recently serving as outside linebackers coach. A Temple grad who spent three seasons as a graduate assistant with his alma mater, Reid also spent time as defensive line coach, assistant defensive line coach and as a defensive quality control assistant, was still listed on Kansas City's coaching roster Tuesday morning.
Contributing: Associated Press
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
