On August 27, Vera Mercer was a passenger in a car. A friend from childhood — Gwendolyn Buskie — was driving Vera to Bridgeport Hospital for a C-section.
On I-95 in New Haven, they were struck by a tractor trailer, and pushed into the back of another truck. Gwendolyn was killed. Vera — a 1991 graduate of Staples High School — sustained major injuries to her brain and other internal organs.
She survived 3 surgeries that day. One was an emergency delivery of 7 pound, 4 ounce Camryn Faith.
Nearly a month later, Vera remains in the ICU. She is improving, but faces a long road to recovery. She still cannot speak.
Vera Mercer
Vera’s mother lives with the family. She suffers from dementia and other ailments requiring round-the-clock supervision. Vera had been her primary caretaker.
Vera’s friends — including many Staples classmates — are raising funds for Vera, via GoFundMe. They’ll help pay rent and utilities, and child and daycare for her 11-year-old son Christian and newborn Camryn (who has yet to meet her mother).
In the 1st 2 days since the fund started, over $7,000 was raised. Staples’ Class of ’91 is helping pass the word.
“06880” is proud to do the same.
(For more information, and to donate money to Vera Mercer, click GoFundMe.com.)
Thank you, Dan, for sharing this. I did contribute.
I just sent a contribution. This is such a sad story of two young women in their prime of life. A blessing her baby survived – something good in this horror.
Hopefully help will continue to pour in for Vera and her family…we just contributed. If you hear anything about Vera’s progress please update us!