Couple eager to put crash behind them
<p>Rathdrum’s Don and Barbara Adams were involved in a head-on collision in Oregon on June 19. They hope to return home on Sept. 12. Their 10-year-old daughter, Amber, died in the crash. Here the couple is shown in front of the rescue helicopter that air-lifted Barbara to a Bend hospital. Don’s right leg is extended outward and did not have to be amputated as feared in the emergency room.</p>
<p>Amber Adams</p>
<p>Front from left, Zoee Forstrom, Sean Powell and Alyssa George, students at Betty Kiefer Elementary in Rathdrum, received Mayor's Youth Achievement Awards from Mayor Vic Holmes for running a three-day lemonade stand fundraiser in support of the Adams family.</p>
Don and Barbara Adams can't wait to return to their Rathdrum home on Sept. 12 — nearly three months after a head-on collision in Oregon that killed their 10-year-old daughter, Amber.
"We miss our home, we miss our son (Marshall), we miss our town and we miss our friends," Don said Thursday from the Pilot Butte Rehabilitation Center in Bend, Ore., where he and Barbara continue to undergo therapy.
"We're striving to get through this so that we can be there for our son."
Amber died at the scene of the accident south of La Pine on June 19. The family was headed to Don's brother's wedding at Lake Tahoe.
Don suffered life-threatening injuries that included damage to his neck and a tear to his large intestine that caused internal bleeding. He also had a broken leg that nearly required amputation.
"I'm working on being able to walk again," said Don, who is using a walker.
Don, 45, said it could've been even worse.
"I'm lucky to say it didn't sever my spinal cord," he said. "I'm also very grateful that they didn't have to cut my right leg off."
Barbara, 36, sustained two broken legs, a broken wrist and cracked sternum. She recently had bone graft surgery.
Marshall, 8, had minor injuries and has been staying with relatives in Athol.
According to police, Alan Eutsler, 29, of Bend, was driving a 1991 Lexus northbound on Highway 97 when his vehicle crossed the centerline and struck the southbound 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Don Adams. Eutsler died on scene. Speed and unlawful passing by Eutsler were factors in the crash, according to police.
An investigation into whether any charges will be filed against the driver of a northbound Mustang that was next to the Lexus but not involved in the collision continues.
"It's unclear whether they were racing or experiencing road rage," Don said.
Don said according to one account, the driver of the Mustang sped up to prevent Eutsler from passing.
"When it was too late, there was no place for the Lexus or me to get out of the way," said Don, citing a witness statement.
An Oregon State Police spokesman didn't have information on the driver of the Mustang on Thursday.
Don said he doesn't have any memory of the accident.
"Fortunately, I do not," he said. "From the witness testimony that I've read so far, I'm glad that I have no memory of the accident."
Don said he and Barbara, who declined to comment, have hired an attorney to explore a lawsuit and insurance claims.
Don said whether he'll be able to return to his job as a welder for Perimeter Security Group is questionable.
"I would have to work hard to return to that kind of work," he said.
Meanwhile, friends near and far have rallied behind the Adams family, whose tough road was compounded recently when Don's father died from a heart attack.
"We thank the entire community for all the love and support it has given us while we're in this predicament," Don said. "We love our community and the people in it."
Betty Kiefer Elementary students Zoee Forstrom, Sean Powell and Alyssa George, who knew Amber, were honored with Mayor's Youth Achievement Awards last month for holding a three-day lemonade stand that raised $144.26 for the family.
"These three kids decided to have the fundraiser on their own," Mayor Vic Holmes said. "To me, that's impressive."
Dawn Forstrom, Zoee's mother, said her daughter was having a difficult time with Amber's death so Zoee decided to do something Amber would and show kindness to others.
"It was a way to channel her pain and anger into something great," Dawn said, adding Zoee has assisted with other fundraisers for the family, including a car show. "Other kids took the money they save and contributed, so it started a chain of kindness. It was the most amazing thing I've ever witnessed."
Dawn said Amber had a heart for kids who were bullied.
"She was a good friend when no one else would be," Dawn said.
Don added: "We taught her to stand up for herself and not let anyone push her or anyone else around."
Dawn said the after-school art program will be named Art for Amber in remembrance of Amber and her love for art.
Tricia Hager-Brinkey, a friend of the Adamses who set up an online benefit account for the family, spearheaded a spaghetti feed, poker tournament and bake sale near Detroit that raised $2,200 for the family Saturday. She said she plans to travel to Rathdrum to assist the couple after they return home.
"I keep trying to cheer them up and tell them that positivity is essential to healing," Hager-Brinkey said. "We're hoping for the best. That's why we're doing everything we can."