Families involved in horrible accident touched by community support

By CHRIS HARRIS, Staff Writer

Somerset — On Tuesday, August 18, the lives of two local students — two families — changed forever. In the days, weeks, months that would follow, an entire community would change as well — moving together in unison to help someone else in need.

The wreck on Thurman Road involving Southwestern High School seniors Raina Trimble and Christopher Campbell left both youth recovering from serious injuries, but also resulted in an outpouring of community support for which all parties are indescribably grateful.

“It’s been emotional — it’s been a long process,” said Jeanette Trimble, Raina’s mother. “I think we’ve all been blessed (by the community support). ... We all realize that we live in a good place.”

One more show of solidarity came Tuesday, when Judge-Executive Barty Bullock bestowed both Raina and Christopher — as well as good Samaritans Marie McGowan and Kim Hunley — with certificates designating status as honorary Kentucky Colonels, one of the Commonwealth’s most prestigious honors.

“It’s pretty outstanding,” said Jason Campbell, Christopher’s dad, one of the numerous parents and friends to be on hand for the occasion in Bullock’s office.

Added Jeanette, “I think (the honor) helps (Raina and Christopher) realize that they can move forward, even though it was a terrible tragedy.”

The two teens were driving to school that fateful morning when the accident occurred. Raina was driving on the curvy western Pulaski road when she lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway, then crossed the northbound lane and left the roadway again, this time traveling across several grassy areas and eventually landing upside down in a detached garage belonging to William Bryan.

“We all got called on the phone and were told our kids in the trauma unit at (the University of Kentucky Medical Center) — you just wanted to die yourself,” said Jeanette. Nevertheless, “we all got in mommy and daddy mode and here we went (to UK). We might fall apart after awhile, but not at this point.”

The injuries were brutal. Raina suffered from multiple broken facial bones, and extensive laceration of her left eye — “It was sewed back together, (but) it doesn’t work,” informed Jeanette — a severe concussion, and fractures in the neck, left forearm, and right hand.

Christopher was worse. With a brain injury, spinal cord injury, and severe lung trauma, Christopher is no longer walking, or even currently speaking. Jason said his son has been through three months of therapy, and that Christopher is currently working on memory skills, to keep old memories and gain new ones. He’s also trying to build strength to as to better his motor functions.

Jason is optimistic about Christopher’s progress, and says he was lucky not to have any swelling in the brain. Still, there are days when Christopher is “confused and tired,” and has more difficulty remembering things than other times. Nevertheless, Christopher remains “a fighter,” said Jason.

“We started out in a very rough spot and have come a lot further than anyone ever realized we would,” said Jason. “We’ve still got a long way to go.”

The road gets a little bit easier thanks to the efforts of people like McGowan and Hunley. McGowan was a family friend of the Campbells, and had known Christopher since he was only 4. Once she heard of the accident, she knew she wanted to — had to — do something to help.

“I came up with the idea to have a benefit for them,” said McGowan, who stressed that she alone is not to thank for the relief that came the Campbells’ and Trimbles’ way — so many others were involved, that she was only a small part. “I ride motorcycles, and I wanted to have a bike ride in conjunction with a live auction.”

The auction — held at Somerset Auto Auction and consisting of items donated from individuals and businesses — and the money raised from fees to enter the motorcycle ride were successful. The money went to buy the Campbells a wheelchair ramp for their home and a van designed to carry and be driven by a paraplegic, for when Christopher gets to that point.

“Hopefully, one of these days, Chris will be able to drive himself, but in the meantime (the Campbells) will be able to drive as family together, rather than him being in one vehicle and them in another,” said McGowan. “Again, a friend of mine called to tell me a family had this van they had just recently purchased that was available, and gave them a tremendously good deal. Everything that has happened has happened due to people being involved and wanting to help. Everything came together almost effortlessly.”

Even Raina wanted to help out at the event, to do something for her close friend’s benefit. “Anything that goes on with Chris, Raina has to be there,” said Jeanette. “He’s a dear friend, and she loves him. She’s physically affected by this, but moreso emotionally.”

Hunley, who works in the clerk’s office at the courthouse, was just one of the many people who got involved. So many friends and so many strangers would call just to ask how they could, gestures for which both the Campbells and Trimbles are eternally grateful.

“I can’t thank one person, because there are way too many people to thank,” said Jason. “If I thank one, a hundred will be left out. If I thank 100 more, I’d leave out a thousand. It keeps going. I don’t know how to thank everybody.”

Bullock said McGowan and Hunley earned their Kentucky Colonel plaques for their service efforts — and the two teens for their courage in the face of adversity. Bullock called Christopher “a fighter” and said the ceremony was “a good gesture,” and noted that anytime there’s a disaster in this community, he’s so impressed by how everyone pulls together to help. He always said there’s an opportunity for others like Christopher and Raina to learn a valuable lesson.

“Hopefully, young people can look at this situation and what’s happened to these kids,” said Bullock, “and know they need to be extra careful when driving, to watch speed and road conditions.”

Raina was honored by the Kentucky Colonel status, but seemingly more than anything, just wants to make sure her friend makes a recovery. She noted that the whole ordeal has given her and everyone else a fresh perspective.

“ You just have a different outlook on life,” said Raina. “Just seeing everything Christopher’s gone through and (how far he’s come), it makes everyone have hope.”

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