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SALT LAKE CITY — Thanksgiving is a time to come together, but Utah isn’t where the Green family planned to meet up.
“No, we’re from Oregon,” said Diane Green-Marci, speaking with KSL outside of the University of Utah Hospital. “Me and my other daughter flew out Saturday morning after we got the phone call from Andrea.”
Andrea “Drea” Green’s car was hit head-on by a suspected drunk driver on state Route 40 near Strawberry Reservoir on Nov. 17.
“A lot of broken bones, a lot of bruising,” said her mom, Green-Marci.
A recent Colorado resident, 28-year-old Drea and her dog were on their way home to celebrate the holiday in Oregon.
“When I saw the pictures of her car, you can’t help but just be amazed. It was a miracle that she made it through it,” her mom said.
While Drea’s dog died in the crash, the Greens are grateful their daughter, sister and strong and spirited friend is alive.
“One of the guys that was trying to help her, he ran to his car and he got a… fire extinguisher out and put the fire out before the fire department got there," said Green-Marci choking up. "I feel like he saved her life.”
So while Drea rested up in her hospital room, her friends and family were searching for the good Samaritan.
“I’m just so thankful that he was there and he was prepared and he stopped,” said Green-Marci.
As Drea’s mom’s pleaded for the public’s help in finding the man who saved their daughter, Utah Highway Patrol called up the hero, Blake Grundvig of North Salt Lake, who eventually met KSL TV at the hospital.
He said he happened upon the crash on his way hunting. He assumed Drea was dead at first.
While the Greens would never have dreamed that their Thanksgiving would land them in a hospital in Utah, they’ve come together with a lot more to be thankful for.
“She is lucky to be alive; that was a horrible wreck,” said Grundvig, emotional.
Drea’s family is not sure how long her recovery will take or how long she’ll need care out of state. She doesn’t have medical insurance.
Her friends have created fundraisers for her on GoFundMe*.
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