A traffic safety attorney and her sister were seriously injured in a horrific crash involving a suspected drunk driver along an Arizona country road.
Sabrina, 24, and Jessica Wilhite, 22. from Gilbert, Arizona, are in the intensive care unit in a Flagstaff hospital with their parents at their bedsides, praying for their daughters’ survival.
The sisters, said to be inseparable, moved to Gilbert in May after graduating from college in Utah.
“Roommates, sisters, best friends,” father Brent Wilhite said AZFamilywhich details the close bond the sisters share.
The tragedy struck a particularly painful chord for Brent, who has worked with Utah’s Zero Fatalities program to promote road safety for 20 years.
It’s a mission that Sabrina had also become involved in. “It’s so ironic to have this hit so close to home,” he reflected.
Last Friday, the couple embarked on a road trip to Salt Lake City for a family reunion to say goodbye to their brother before he began his two-year mission with the Mormon Church.
But their plans suddenly took a devastating turn near Tuba City on Route 89 when a pickup truck spun in front of the sisters’ car, causing a violent T-bone collision.
Sabrina, 24, left, and Jessica Wilhite, 22, right, of Gilbert, Arizona, were seriously injured in a horrific crash involving a suspected drunk driver along a country road
Both girls are now in intensive care in Flagstaff, Arizona. Tragically, Sabrina, who was driving at the time, bore the brunt of the impact and had to have her arm amputated.
Sabrina, seen at right, had worked with Utah’s Zero Fatalities, a road safety program
Arizona authorities have not yet confirmed details about the suspected drunk driver or whether any arrests have been made, but the investigation is ongoing.
Witnesses at the scene acted quickly, providing comfort and care until first responders arrived.
“We are so grateful to them,” Brent said of the bystanders who came to his daughters’ aid.
“They were holding their hands, holding their heads, trying to keep them calm and keep them from going into shock,” he explained.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” mother Jen Wilhite said, her voice breaking with emotion.
‘It’s not an accident. I mean, what happened wasn’t an accident. Someone made the choice to drink and then get in their car and drive and hit our precious girls.”
Sabrina, who was driving at the time, bore the brunt of the impact.
In a painful decision, doctors had to amputate her arm to save her life.
“That’s clearly a life-changing outcome of this crash. Just a senseless crash that didn’t have to happen, but it has now changed her life foreverBrent added.
The close-knit family was about to head to Salt Lake City, Utah, to invite their brother to serve a two-year mission with the Mormon Church
Their father described Sabrina and Jessica as “roommates, sisters and best friends”
Despite the challenges ahead, the Wilhite family remains steadfast in their gratitude and faith.
“Honestly, our faith in God is the only thing getting us through this right now. We absolutely believe that He spared their lives. We believe they are here because of God,” Jen said.
With Sabrina and Jessica facing a long road to recovery, the Wilhites have turned to the community for support with a GoFundMe so far we have raised over $77,000 to help with rising medical bills.
The family hopes to rebuild their daughters’ lives one step at a time, and that their story could serve as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving.