Fundraiser set for woman injured in crash

COEUR d'ALENE - A fundraiser for a local woman severely injured in a crash is set for April 20 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

David McCullough, father of Tricia McCullough, said she is getting stronger and learning to use her body in new ways.

"Even though she doesn't have use of her legs or fingers, she can put her contacts in, paint, eat and is learning to cruise in the electric wheelchair," he wrote.

Tricia McCullough grew up in Coeur d'Alene. She left her parents' home late Dec. 26 following a Christmas visit and was returning to Helena, Mont., where she was studying nursing at Carroll College and was set to graduate with a four-year degree this spring.

She was about 30 miles east of Missoula on Interstate 90 in a 2004 Dodge Ram early Dec. 27, when she hit black ice and lost control.

The truck crashed into the guardrail and flipped over.

Tricia was trapped, upside down, for about an hour in 4 degree temperatures before being rescued and airlifted to Providence St. Patrick hospital in Missoula.

Her father said she suffered a broken neck, was paralyzed and had a broken arm.

Her parents, David and wife Gwyn McCullough, are trying to raise $350,000 to get her into Craig’s Hospital in Colorado, which specializes in rehabilitation.

A GoFundMe site has brought in about $130,000 as of Monday.

Tricia recently left St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center and is waiting to get into Craig's Hospital.

The April 20 fundraiser will include music by the Kelly Hughes Band, dancing, all-you-can-eat chili feed and a silent auction.

For tickets, $50, call David McCullough 208-661-1332.