When Minden Elementary School playground aide Maricela Lopez left work on Feb. 13, she had no idea it would be more than 100 days before she would return.
On the way to her Topaz Ranch Estates home that afternoon, Lopez, 38, was critically injured in a head-on collision on Highway 395 south of Gardnerville.
The driver of a northbound vehicle swerved into the path of Lopez's car, resulting in the collision. The driver's brother was killed along with four dogs, and Lopez suffered nearly fatal injuries.
She spent two months in Renown Regional Medical Center and another month in a rehabilitation facility before she was released Thursday.
As a surprise, Lopez's husband Carlos brought her to Minden Elementary on their way home where more than 500 students, staff and faculty waited in front of the school to give her a joyous welcome.
Grownups wept and children cheered as Lopez walked haltingly across the parking lot and the sidewalk before she accepted the offer of a wheelchair.
Eight-year-old Juan Ramirez said he was happy to see Lopez.
"She's my kind," he said. "She speaks Mexican like me and she's really nice. One time I got hurt and she helped me get to the nurse."
In addition to her bilingual skills, other students said Lopez provided a calming influence on the playground.
"She helps kids out," said Dylan Galliett, 9, a fourth grader. "She can help you if you get in fights with your friends."
"She's very nice," said Joey Jacobsen, 10. "She doesn't yell at you, she just solves it out."
Students praised Lopez's determination to get out of the rehabilitation faculty and back to her community.
She suffered near-fatal injuries to her face, arms, hip and foot and has months of therapy ahead. Her jaw and chin were shattered, some of her teeth were knocked out and her tongue was nearly severed.
"I didn't expect her to come back so soon," said Audrey Muller, 10. "I felt bad for her that she got hurt. I'm really glad to see her."
Doctors have told Lopez she cannot return to work for two years.
"On the playground, she told us lots of jokes, jokes that were really funny. When I saw her get out of the car, I felt really glad " glad that she was OK," said Emily Didero-Mills, 10. "I knew she was OK and could have fun again."
