Community Rallies Around Teens After Devastating Highway 36 Crash
Best friends, Ellyit and Jilly, fight to recover a devastating collision on Highway 36 [Photo from GoFundMe for Ellyit]
At approximately 12:05 p.m. on Monday, July 14, emergency crews responded to a serious collision just east of Alton, near River Bar Road. According to initial information from the California Highway Patrol, a vehicle reportedly attempted a U-turn when it was struck by an oncoming logging truck. The force of the impact caused major damage to the car and left at least one victim trapped inside. A second ambulance was called to the scene, and one of the girls had to be extricated from the vehicle. CHP listed the incident as a major injury collision.
Inside the car were two 17-year-old best friends, Ellyit and Jilly.
The girls were flown to trauma centers in different cities—Jilly to UC Davis and Ellyit to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Both sustained life-threatening injuries and remain in serious condition, with Ellyit in a coma.
“Doctors and nurses have been working round the clock,” reads a statement from Ellyit’s GoFundMe page. “Ellyit had severe head trauma, with brain swelling, and has been unconscious since the accident. She had brain surgery the day of the accident to relieve pressure and remove a blood clot.” Ellyit is a student at Academy of the Redwoods and had been preparing to start her senior year this fall.
Meanwhile, Jilly, who also suffered major trauma, has shown signs of improvement, but her recovery is expected to be long and uncertain. Her family reports that she has multiple facial and skull fractures, a stabilized brain bleed, and is sleeping through most of the day. Though she was not able to pass a physical therapy test this week, they remain hopeful.
A social media post by a family member stated, “They are 17, good students, sweet girls …. and inseparable best friends.”
In the aftermath of the crash, friends, relatives, and even strangers across Humboldt County have stepped up with donations, prayers, and words of encouragement. Two GoFundMe campaigns have been launched to help cover the extensive medical and travel expenses facing both families:
Help Ellyit and Her Family in Her Recovery Journey
One campaign organizer wrote, “The family will accumulate large medical bills associated with this tragedy along with the cost to eat and sleep in the city. I want to do anything to ease their worry during this difficult time and hope the community will feel the same way.”
As the girls continue to fight for recovery, the ripple effect of the crash is being felt throughout the region—not just in emergency rooms, but in classrooms, neighborhoods, and among circles of teens and families who now wait, hope, and support in any way they can.
Earlier: [Update: Major Injury Collision] Semi Vs. Vehicle Collision on SR-36 Near River Bar Road
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I don’t know any of the people involved and never contribute to gofundme campaigns but will in this case — partly as a reaction and rejection of the insensitive, thoughtless and in some cases malicious comments triggered by the original story.
Please people, keep your false assumptions and insensitive comments in check until you know the facts.
Thank you so much for your support! We appreciate it! ❤️
Wish I was there Andy. I’ve been trapped here getting updates. She’s going to be ok! I can’t wait to meet her healthy and back to her regular happy self!
Your lips to God’s ears!
Thank you! I am hoping for the miracle Ellyit needs! And appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and financial help. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced as a parent.
Well, they made an illegal u turn and obviously weren’t paying attention to oncoming traffic. Maybe you should feel bad for the truck driver they traumatized.
You are wrong. It was not a u turn. There is no police report yet. So stfu. [Edit]
Actually, the girls did in fact do an illegal U turn right on River bar road…terrible 😞 let this be a sign that everyone should be more aware of there surroundings while driving and remember semis CANNOT stop in a dime. Sending prayers to the family of the girls
This article was written to support the recovery of these two young people and their families — this is clearly a situation where if you can’t say anything nice you should just keep quiet.
Not the time or place for this comment.
Yes everyone is feeling bad for the truck driver it was not his fault. This girls made a mistake and we all have done some The girls a paying dearly for their mistake so are there families so be nice and just pray for there recovery 🙏❤️🙏❤️
He’s gotta be feeling terrible. It wasn’t his fault. The men driving these log trucks are great drivers. I live in mad river and see them all the time. They’ve really careful as it’s a dangerous job. I wish the girls the best of luck. I trust the driver of the truck will be ok. He’s gotta be in
shock.
Future Trump cabinet level aide no doubt…
It’s really not the moment to say something like this, read the room.
I have posted on many forums stating this, but I’ll say it again….
As the parent to the beautiful girl who was the passenger in this tragic accident my focus has been on her. Monday afternoon I was torn apart when I got the call to go to St. Joe’s in Eureka due to her being in a car accident. On that call I was told “there’s some blood and maybe a broken bone or two.” That I could’ve dealt with…. But if those were really the only injuries why not take her to Redwood Memorial, in Fortuna?!?
Fast forward a couple of hours and I was finally allowed to see her I was told, “your daughter’s injuries are serious. We’re not sure she’s going to survive.” My next thought wasn’t about her…. It was about the two drivers. I have been so worried about both the truck driver and Jilly.
So people need to stop assuming that we don’t care about the truck driver. I would personally love to be in contact with him just so I could say. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT AND DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP!
Obviously I’m devastated and heart broken not knowing what my daughter’s outcome will be. But she was the passenger, she didn’t make a bad choice. She was on her way to help a friend care for her pets. She and Jilly don’t deserve the negativity all these nasty comments bring and I hope to God all these people who want to point out why these girls deserve what they’re going through NEVER have to experience what I’m going through right now!
You have navigated this so well given everything happening in such a chaotic/stressful manner. You have done a great job being mindful and respectful to all involved. Very proud of you! Ellyit is so lucky you are her mom.
Andy, this is Cary Dyer. My daughter was in the room next to your daughter for a few days. I had to search and see if I could find any article or update. From the moment I met you in the waiting room of the ICU, God has drawn me to your families situation. I continue to pray for a miraculous healing and peace for your whole family and everyone involved.
Thank you so much! I reached out to you on FB Messenger with an update!
I haven’t seen anyone say they don’t feel bad for the truck driver. I think the initial reaction hearing the girls were hospitalized and in critical condition sparked concern for them physically. The following reaction is then the Hope that all parties will recover physically and emotionally, this includes the truck driver. I imagine lots of trauma for all parties to unpack and heal.
Sending prayers to both young ladies.
My condolences.
but i honestly feel bad for the truck driver whom you guys made an illegal u turn in front of and traumatized for life, hopefully he doesn’t end his career because of it.
Also minors with a drivers license are not allowed to have passengers without a licensed driver at least 21 years of age in the vehicle with them.
You’re misunderstanding the law. If the minor has had their license for a full year, they can have passengers who are also minors. So if this young lady received her license at 16, her provisional year could have been up.
Regardless, we should be sending positive thoughts to all involved, including the log truck driver.
condolences when someone died. yeah feel bad for the truck driver but i’d ask what kind of person are you when you sit behind your screen saying “but honestly “ and spoke directly to them “you guys” well they aren’t reading your comment as your healthy and sitting behind your iphone, their skulls are crushed their brains are bleeding they might die so idk what you get out of that? you clearly are young and just a student apparently you prize yourself on studying law well you don’t know everything and you should humble yourself and ask why you are such a nasty attitude person
While I deeply sympathize with the truck driver and recognize the trauma he may be experiencing, it’s important to remember that empathy is not a limited resource. We can, and should, extend compassion to everyone involved—including the young women who were seriously injured.
Initial reports may suggest a particular sequence of events, but the investigation is still ongoing. Regardless of where fault may ultimately lie, empathy should not be contingent upon blame. Mistakes behind the wheel are something many of us can relate to—whether it’s speeding slightly, becoming momentarily distracted, or simply misjudging a situation.
Years ago, I was involved in a rollover accident that was clearly my own fault. I had taken my eyes off the road for a moment to point out something to a child in the car. We were fortunate to walk away with only minor injuries. Still, that moment didn’t make me—or the three children in the vehicle—any less deserving of care or understanding.
Let’s strive to extend the same grace to others that we would hope to receive ourselves.
Amen
You aound like your whole personality and thought process was downloaded from the internet. U sound like a typical screen head with no actual life experience. U may as well be an ap from the Apple Store – no real consciousness or thought processes just what u can download
Feel bad for the truck driver? Really. Choosing to become a truck driver comes with the reality that you will get into accidents. Occupational hazards. It’s part of the job.
Hopefully that truck driver wasn’t speeding and not on his cell phone. Very interesting how he stated they pulled a U turn when in fact, they didn’t. Once the police report comes out perhaps Mr law student will sing a different tune.
They did in fact pull an illegal u turn on the highway. No the driver wasn’t speeding, nor was he on his phone, he was just getting up to 55 after leaving the mill (about 40-44 mph) they turned off to the side of the road and made a u turn to go back towards 101, the semi truck was a few hundred feet behind them and he tried to slam on his breaks but he didn’t have enough time to stop (due to how close he was) and he tried to veer to his left to avoid them but unfortunately still hit them. Actually the reason why the girls had brain injuries is because there heads hit each others in the car. The driver had injuries on her right side of her head, passenger had injuries on her left side
No-one should have to think about money when a tragedy like this happens.
Wait until the lawyers get involved….
“No-one should have to think about money when a tragedy like this happens.”
Agree and that’s why I donated to both Go Fund Me campaigns — both families have immediate needs for travel, meals and lodging so they can be close to their daughters at this critical time.
Both of these pretty young ladies are in the world’s best hospitals. That decision must have been made while they were in the chopper. I’m praying for their complete recovery. The truck driver is to be commended for his quick, lifesaving actions.
Good luck to all concerned. Anyone of us can be dead before we hit the floor…heart attack, stroke, vehicle collision…I hope we can all appreciate daily what a beautiful thing we have.
Sending all the love in the world to Ellyit and Jilly on their heart breaking, unexpected accident and to anyone else that was involved. I wish a full recovery for these young ladies who need to enjoy life once again.
As a Canadian I have always thought of the American people
to be kind, generous, thoughtful and polite,
however I am truly saddened and disappointed in the rude comments some people have decided to post. Does it really matter how or why it happened?
Everyone should be thinking about a full recovery and be thanking the first responders, Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Medical staff for their amazing commitment to save the lives of 2 amazing young girls who need all the prayers and positivity that this world can give!
Andy and Erica I have no idea the pain you and your loved ones are going through, I just want to let you know I am truly heartbroken for this very unfortunate situation. Sending all my love from Canada ❤️
Thank you Tim. Andy and I are heart broken. It was not a call a parent wants to receive. I don’t know how people can write such horrible, judgemental comments without all the facts. There are some lonely, broken people out there. My daughter loves animals and volunteered constantly at the animal shelter. She volunteered at the Vets Center. She is a straight A student. A blood donor. She is sensitive and so is her friend, who is also the loveliest, sweetest 17 year old I’ve ever met. These girls are like sisters. I won’t read comments again, although the supporters are angels. Your comments, prayers and good thoughts help everyone involved. However, some of you ought to feel ashamed of yourselves.
Prays for everyone who is affected by this horrible accident. Praying the 2 young girls make a full recovery.
I have turned around there a few times myself. Dangerous to make a left hand turn looking up the hill and to the left. I went bye this accident shortly after it happened. I remember girls this age running out of gas in same stretch. They panicked and stayed in car while on 36. Scared the living Bee Gees out of me. We were all young once and had close calls. Many of us fortunate to not end up in this situation. The family and friends have unbearable pain to face in the upcoming months. No time to judge or point fingers. Send our good thoughts with prayers. Sounds like a miracle may be needed.
So young, precious girls, let’s offer prayers of healing. There are alive, thank goodness! Two young girls made that same mistake on the avenue of the Giants several years back, and they both died.
When will the US join the rest of the civilized world and provide universal medical care so that no one has to face crushing medical bills and bankruptcy in a situation like this. Every modern country on the planet has managed to do this while our government continues to protect the insurance industry at the expense of it’s citizens. The shame should have every republican voter and ost democrats as well hanging their heads. MEDICARE4ALL saves money, provides healthcare for everyone, and makes sense. Every country but ours provides it. Why don’t we?
Greed
Bad timing and choice on the U turn these girls are very lucky that the Log Truck was not Loaded because the out come would be completely different very sorry for both victims hoping everyone recovers without life time trauma
It is so great to see so many people show love, empathy and concern for these 2 amazing young girls and for the truck driver involved. I think we all know that there is no way for any of us to fully know all the dynamics going on with the situation and those involved. I can’t even begin to comprehend the grief and stress each family is experiencing right now. This is new territory they are navigating and they won’t get it right/perfect. I hope we can give them the grace and support they need rather than judging and speculating based off of a fractio of the whole story. We can all relate to making mistakes. I can’t imagine having one mistake I made become the only thing others choose to base my whole identity off of, strangers at that. Let’s not do that to any of these 3 humans. They all need and deserve a community that can rally around them and focus on brightening their world and rebuilding the futures that wait for them! The hard work is just beginning.
Very well said! Thank you for the support! ❤️