Fundraiser Saturday for mother hurt in collision

For three months, Carlos Lopez has made a daily, 140-mile round-trip from his family's home in Topaz Ranch Estates to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno to visit his wife Maricela as she recovers from near-fatal injuries.

The Minden Elementary School playground aide was critically injured Feb. 13 in a head-on collision on Highway 395 near Courtland Lane south of Gardnerville.

Lopez, 38, was hospitalized for two months at Renown Regional Medical Center, and has spent the last month at a rehabilitation center in Reno.

Family friend Toni Braga said Lopez's hospital bill alone is $285,000, and the family has no health insurance.

Friends have organized a rummage and bake sale Saturday at the Minden school to assist the family with expenses.

Lopez was injured when a sport utility vehicle driven by Jeannie Hawkins, 39, of Bishop, Calif., reportedly crossed the center lane and collided with her vehicle, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

According to reports, Hawkins swerved to avoid an animal in the road.

Hawkins' brother Thomas Riley Overlay, 50, of Spring Hill, Fla., was killed in the accident along with four dogs in her vehicle.

The accident occurred as Lopez was en route to her Topaz Ranch Estates home after work at the school.

Her two sons were on the school bus.

The accident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed against Hawkins.

Despite her severe injuries, Lopez has made remarkable strides in her recovery.

Friend Raquel Johnson said Lopez's jaw and chin were shattered, some of her teeth were knocked out and her tongue was nearly severed.

Lopez's left harm was cut open and her left arm and right foot also were injured.

Johnson said Lopez is eager to come home.

"She is maintaining very high spirits," Johnson said. "She's had so much support from the school and the church. Her sons see a lot of strength in their mother, but they miss her. All their lives have changed."

Carlos Lopez's mother has been staying at their Topaz Ranch Estates home to help care for Carlos, 10, and Flaviano, 9.

Carlos Lopez recently was laid off after 14 years at Central Sierra Construction, but the company has been assisting him.

Johnson said the family spent Mother's Day at the rehabilitation center.

"Maricela was thrilled to have them," Johnson said.

She said the screws were removed from Lopez's foot and she was able to put weight on it and take a short walk down the hallway.

"She is so determined to be home with her family," Johnson said.

Braga said that despite a doctor's note that Lopez will not be able to work for two years, she had been denied state disability, a decision her family hopes to appeal.