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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2015)
PAGE A10, KEIZERTIMES, MAY 29, 2015 Friends rally to support Verboort By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes On Friday, May 22, three McNary High School stu- dents were involved in a car crash on Lockhaven Drive N. While two of the involved students were treated and re- leased, the third, Austin Ver- boort, remained in a coma at Salem Hospital at press time. Details of the exact circum- stances are still being investi- gated, but Verboort sustained brain trauma and fractures. Loved ones, friends, teach- ers and more turned out in droves at the hospital show- ing their support for Verboort, with many standing vigil for hours, but friend Trevor Gil- bert knows something others might not: “If it had to happen to any- body, he’s one of the strongest people I know. He’s going to get through it and he’s going to be fi ne,” Gilbert said. Friends since they were toddlers, Gilbert and Verboort have grown up together and he wishes his friend knew how much support he’s get- ting from the community. “He’s the best guy I know and he’s super-generous. He would have been at the hospi- tal for any of us,” Gilbert said. Within hours of the acci- dent, a GoFundMe account (www.gofundme.com/vaeees) had been set up to assist the Verboort family with medical expenses. It topped $10,000 within 48 hours and exceeded $13,000 as of May 27. Response at McNary has been quick and overwhelm- ing. By Tuesday morning, stu- dents in the Celtic graphic arts program had asked to design T-shirts in support of Verboort and they were on sale for $20 at the school by the end of the school day. Shirts are available at the school and all proceeds are being donated to the fam- ily. Tori Fryman and Katelyn Kolb were two of the graphic arts students printing shirts. “It’s nice having so many people want the shirts already,” said Kolb. CRASH: ‘This is what his body and brain need...’ Courtesy Keizer Police Department Austin Verboort was critically injured on May 22 when the white 1995 Jeep he was driving collided with the 1986 Chev- rolet Blazer seen on the left. The other two teens involved in the crash were released from the hospital not long after, but Verboort was in a coma. KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald Katelyn Kolb and Tori Fryman print #supportverboort T-shirts in the graphic design room at McNary High School. Students began producing the T-shirts Tuesday morning. Fryman added, “We’re showing (Austin) that we care even though he doesn’t know it yet.” During lunch periods on Tuesday, staff and faculty mem- bers Kim Pittsley, Spencer Doyle, Kathryn Reyes, Steph- anie Hanson, Tracy Rhoades and Rhonda Rhodes were or- ganizing efforts to send cards to the Verboort family. A prayer vigil was held at Dayspring Fellowship Wednesday, May 27. Friend Austin Herndon said Verboort’s personality made him someone everyone wanted to be around, and the outpouring is only proof of that. “We got his back, he’s had ours and we’ll have him,” Herndon said. McNary Principal Erik Jespersen addressed the entire school regarding the situation during announcements Tues- day morning. “When people ask me about what it’s like to be the principal of McNary High School, I tell them that this school is a community. At McNary, and in Keizer, people care for one another and sup- port each other,” said Jespers- en. “In times such as these, it is important to be sensitive to those who may be struggling right now. I would encourage everyone to focus on the small things today. Be kind to one another, say please and thank- you, smile a little more today.” (Continued from pg. A1) “We are encouraged by these slow improvements that he continues to make,” the site said. “He is still in a coma but we are remaining patient and remembering that this is what his body and brain need to rest and heal.” Another update was posted Tuesday evening. “Austin has continued to breathe on his own today even after being (incubated),” the update read in part. “He is still in a coma in critical con- dition. We are all hanging in there and are so thankful for the continued love and sup- port each and everyone of you have shown us. It has been so incredibly helpful. We know we have a long road ahead of us so keep being patient and rallying behind our boy.” Sgt. David LeDay with the KPD on Tuesday still gave no indication of what happened. “This case is being worked on and is currently under in- vestigation,” LeDay said. “Be- fore any fi nal release of infor- mation is made, we need to make sure all the facts are in place.” LeDay noted accident re- construction cases “tradition- ally take at least a month or so” to complete. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact LeDay at 503-390- 3713 ext. 3482. Police Chief John Teague on Wednesday afternoon con- fi rmed Verboort was headed west on Lockhaven when he attempted a u-turn and was t- boned by the Blazer. Lockhaven Drive was closed for several hours af- ter the accident as members of the Marion County Crash Team comprised of members from the KPD, Oregon State Police, Salem Police Depart- ment, Marion County Sher- iff ’s Offi ce and Woodburn Po- lice Department investigated. A prayer vigil was held for Verboort on Wednesday after- noon at Dayspring Fellowship Church in Keizer. 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