Relatives of Crash Victims Set Up Fund

by Breanna Fuss, Reporter
February 17, 2013 8:48 PM


Relatives of those who were involved in Thursday’s fatal car crash in Sioux Falls are asking for the community’s help. Ameina and her husband Stephen Wolf remain at Sanford Hospital Sunday night, away from their four children, after their SUV was struck in the multi-car accident.

Family said Stephen should be out within the next few days, but Ameina has a long road of recovery ahead of her. To help pay for their basic needs, family members have set up a fund so the couple can focus on getting better.
 
 "We are kind of scrambling right now to take care of the kids right now, while they get better,” said Nathanael Anderson, Ameina’s brother-in-law.

For family and friends of Ameina and Stephen Wolf, Valentine's Day will never be the same.

"I got a call on Valentine's day from my wife. She said just get over to the hospital, her sister had been into an accident,” said Anderson.

On Thursday, police said 32-year-old Troy Hohn was driving his Chevy Blazer at a high rate of speed down Minnesota Avenue. When Hohn swerved into the right lane, his vehicle hit Ameina and Stephen’s Dodge Durango.

"It kind of hit the back end of the vehicle and it spun them around into another vehicle as well,” explained Anderson. “It almost ripped the back end of that Durango off. I mean there was hardly anything left of it.”

Their SUV was the first vehicle of seven to be hit, pushing Ameina and Stephen’s vehicle into a pickup. The vehicle was heavily damaged, but amazingly enough, Ameina, Stephen, and their three children, ages 3 months, 20 months and 6-years-old are still alive.

But Anderson said the battle has just begun.

"She did break her back, luckily there is no paralysis, but she had to have some surgery on that right away, she still has to have reconstructive surgery on her shoulder,” said Anderson.

Anderson said doctors believe it could take Ameina a year to fully recover. Stephen, who was taken away from the scene in a neck brace, suffered a concussion.

"He does have some back injuries as well. He had a facture in one of the vertebrae, painful, but it will heal on its own time,” said Anderson.

As for the children, they suffered only injuries and were released from the hospital just hours after the accident. Now family members are going above and beyond by not only taking care of their four children, but by making sure they get the financial help they need.

"We put together a benefit fund just to help out with the daily living stuff, like diapers, formula food, rent if we have to,” Anderson said.

He also said all they can do now is wait and pray.

“The family will be all together hopefully soon,” said Anderson.

The fund is set up at all Home Federal Bank Locations in Sioux Falls. Anderson said if you wish to donate, just say you would live to give money to the ‘Wolf Family Benefit Fund.’

Police said it is too soon to tell if alcohol or drugs were a factor in Thursday’s accident.