Estimated read time: 4-5 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
RIVERDALE — The Denny's on Riverdale Road is organizing community support for an employee who was hit and critically injured while walking in a crosswalk with her young brother.
Witnesses are explaining what the woman did to save her brother's life, as she now fights for her own.
Anyone looking for a late-night bite at the Riverdale Denny's will probably meet server Viktoria Tibbitts.
Restaurant manager Erin Hunt said when Denny's hired Tibbitts — who goes by Tori — a year ago, she could immediately see her strong work ethic and the two formed an unbreakable bond.
"She will take every single table that walks in here all on her own," Hunt said.
The 19-year-old works the graveyard shift Tuesday through Saturday but is also known to pick up extra shifts and fill gaps when they're short-staffed.
"She just is a little rock star. She is the sweetest person," said Brenda Owens, the Riverdale Denny's general manager.
That's why this past week, the restaurant has felt especially empty without Tibbitts.
"I just, I really, I miss her," Hunt said, as tears welled up in her eyes. "Having to tell her regulars when they come in and they ask about her, has been so painful."
Retelling the story
Hunt has had to recount the story over and over: A week ago on Monday, while Tibbitts and her 5-year-old brother, John, walked to the store, a pickup truck driver didn't see them in the crosswalk as he turned by the Maverik at the intersection of Riverdale Road and 1500 West.
Tibbitts' mother, Amanda Neeley, said her daughter was taking her little brother to buy groceries to make stuffed French toast for breakfast that morning.
Kenny Sattiewhite was driving with his wife and son when he saw the truck make the turn. He said Tibbitts began to scream.
"She's screaming and yelled, 'Hey!' and ... grabbed her brother and threw him over the truck with one arm," he said.
Sattiewhite said Tibbitts got her brother out of harm's way just as the truck plowed into her, instead. She immediately was thrown to the ground and became unresponsive. Sattiewhite said he ran up to the 5-year-old, who was lying on the ground, and lay down next to him to calm him down. He was bleeding but alert and saying he wanted his mom.
"She's a hero," Sattiewhite said of Tibbitts. "She is a hero for that."
Riverdale police said the driver who hit Tibbitts didn't see the two in the crosswalk as he turned, saying it was a tragic accident. The driver was not cited.
'Saved his life'
Neeley said her son suffered only a broken arm and it will heal with a cast, thanks to his sister's actions.
"My son wasn't hit because of Viktoria. She literally saved his life," Neeley said, later adding, "She's amazing, very self-sacrificing. You know, all areas of her life actually."
Neeley said her daughter is now in a medically induced coma with severe head trauma, which includes a skull fracture, a brain bleed and swelling, and blood clots. Neeley and her second-oldest child, Rikelle Tibbitts, explained that doctors believed the 19-year-old suffered a mini-stroke and surgeons removed part of her skull.
Her work family doesn't want Tori Tibbitts to be stuck with all the bills from medical expenses to rent and daily needs.
"Because we love her so much. She's so great, and she's the first one that will help anybody," Owens said.
They're hosting a fundraiser on Sunday at Denny's. All customers have to do is show up to eat and 20% of the proceeds will go toward her bills.
"She should be totally taken care of, I hope, after this, because she deserves that," Hunt said.
Neeley may not know what her daughter's recovery will look like, but she can see all the love, support and hope for Tori.
"I'm just absolutely floored by the amount of support, even not only from Denny's, just the community in general," Neeley said. She said it's been amazing to experience. "I am so grateful."
In addition to Sunday's fundraiser, a GoFundMe account* has been set up to help Tori Tibbitts. People can also donate at Mountain America Credit Union under the Tori Tibbitts Charity Fund.
*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.
