Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
TAYLORSVILLE — A 17-year-old girl is in an intensive care unit after a suspected impaired driver smashed into her car Sunday night.
"She's the girl that always has to dance, she's always dancing somewhere," Maddie Anderson's dad James said.
Full of life is how the family described Maddie. It's a life that was almost cut too short.
"I really felt like I was going to lose her that night. I was pretty terrified," he said.
Maddie was out swing dancing with her older brother Spencer that night. Maddie was driving them home when a suspected impaired driver hit their car.
"I looked down at my phone then heard her scream, I looked up and we were spinning," Spencer Anderson said.
He said he got out of the car to try to help his sister who was unconscious.
"It was really hard the day of the accident when I got to her side of the car and saw her bent over like that it was very scary," Anderson said. "I checked for pulse, for breathing, tried to wake her up, and waited for the fire department to get there."
Maddie's neck, femur and pelvis were fractured. She's already had two intensive surgeries. Her father said she is on a breathing tube right now but is hopeful it will be off in the coming days.
"It's tough to see my little girl suffer, it really is," James Anderson said. "I can't tell you how grateful I am that she is still here."
They hope anyone thinking of getting behind the wheel impaired will think twice so no one else has to go through this.
"Don't do it, it's not worth it," Spencer Anderson said. "It doesn't affect you as much as it affects the victim, victim's family."
"I wouldn't wish this on anyone, I wish it wasn't my little girl, but I wouldn't want it to be anyone else's little girl either," James Anderson said.
There is a GoFundMe account* set up to help the family with medical expenses, if you would like to donate, click here.
*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
