HOPKINS, Minn. — A 17-year-old Hopkins High School student is fighting to recover from catastrophic injuries after a motorist, who reportedly should not have been driving, struck the SUV she was driving at a busy intersection on Highway 7 on March 5.
The CaringBridge site set up for Lauren Elaine Olson by a family friend says the teen is hospitalized in stable condition at Hennepin County Medical Center but remains in an induced coma to allow her brain to heal. Lauren also suffered a broken femur and internal bleeding from the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Highway 7 and Williston Road in Minnetonka.
On Sunday the site provided updates, saying Lauren has moved her arms and legs and at times reaches for her breathing tube, which doctors say is good - it shows her brain is functioning on levels where she can move her limbs on her own. While an MRI shows there are no "dead" brain cells, the medical team cautions that there is no way to know the extent of damage caused by the accident until Lauren is brought out of sedation.
State Patrol investigators report Olson was traveling westbound on Highway 7 around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, taking a left-hand turn onto Williston when her vehicle was struck by an SUV driven by a 29-year-old Minneapolis man.
KARE 11's Lou Raguse says a search warrant filed in the case indicates that the driver was speeding, passing people on the right shoulder, and ran a red light before hitting Olson, who had the right of way. The search warrant affidavit also says that the driver does not have a valid license or insurance. Troopers took a blood sample because of suspicion he was under the influence of drugs.
KARE 11 News is not naming the man until criminal charges are filed against him.
That 29-year-old's criminal history reveals an obscene driving record:
- 7 convictions for driving after suspension
- 2 convictions for failing to drive with due care
- 3 instruction permit violations
- Additional convictions for careless driving and inattentive driving
- Pending cases for driving with a revoked license and another failure to drive with due care.
Lauren's friends said she was seconds from home when the crash occurred.
"She just had to make one more turn," Madeline Wood said.
Wood, along with Tori Katzenmeyer and Willow Epp describe Lauren as the "mom" of their friend group -- known for braiding their hair before lacrosse games.
"Since she’s always been there to take care of us, we think it's our turn to step in and just be there for her right now," Wood said.
"Lauren is in stable condition and they still have her in the induced coma to let her brain heal," family friend Nicole Mitchell posted on the CaringBridge site. "The doctors are doing several CAT scans daily to make sure that there are no new bleeds. All the CAT scans have shown nothing new, which is a blessing every day. Although this doesn't seem like much, the doctors have assured the family that this is actually really good news. That means her body is working to heal."
A GoFundMe account set up to help the Olson family with medical expenses shares that Lauren is an avid hockey and lacrosse player, student council member, and kids camp volunteer who is studying to become a nurse. "She (Lauren) is very kind and patient with a very generous heart," reads a post written by the fund organizers. "She always wears a smile and is willing to jump in and try new things any chance she gets. She is so strong and beautiful on the inside and out."
If you'd like to donate, click here.
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