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Posted on Wed, May 2, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.

Skyline High School student in critical condition after crash

By Cindy Heflin

A Skyline High School student remained in critical condition Wednesday afternoon after a weekend crash near Flint that collapsed her lungs, broke her pelvis in two places, ruptured her spleen and broke seven of her ribs.

Lizzie_Bauer.jpg

Elizabeth Bauer

Peter Bauer of Ann Arbor said his daughter, Elizabeth Bauer, 16, is improving day by day.

“She’s out of the woods,” he said.

He said his daughter, known to her friends as Lizzie, has had reconstructive surgery on her nose as well as surgeries to repair her spleen and treat her collapsed lungs. She was listed in critical but stable condition at Hurley Medical Center in Flint on Wednesday afternoon.

Bauer, who was heading to the hospital Wednesday afternoon, said he thought hospital staff members were going to try to help her stand up today. Lizzie’s mother has been staying with her since the accident, he said.

Bauer was a passenger in a car driven by Ryley James Oben, 17, of Flint. Police said Oben ran a red light at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the city of Burton, and the Pontiac Grand Prix he was driving collided with a Chevrolet Impala in the intersection.

Bauer was the only one transported by ambulance after the crash, a police report shows. It also said neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the crash.

Bauer, Oben and the three occupants of the other vehicle were all wearing seatbelts, the report indicates.

Peter Bauer said his daughter was in the Flint area last weekend visiting a friend who lives there and also is friends with Oben. He said she’s received a tremendous amount of support from the Skyline school community.

Lizzie, who plays lacrosse, got a visit from the Skyline lacrosse coach David McKinnon, Monday, Bauer said. He brought a poster to the hospital signed by her teammates. Many friends have also called or visited, Bauer said.

McKinnon said, though Bauer was enduring pain from her injuries, she was her typical self during his visit, asking about her teammates. "She had not a care in the world about herself," he said. "All she could say was, 'Hey, I love you guys."

Comments

JRW

Fri, May 4, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.

Hope she does well in her recovery.

SueBeech

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.

We are hoping for a quick recovery. Take care Lizzie. From, Your teachers at Pattengill Mrs. Beech, Mr. Tercala, & Ms. Kimmey

Woman in Ypsilanti

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

linuxtuxguy

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.

"Bauer was a passenger in a car driven by Ryley James Oben, 17, of Flint." I'm surprised to see the name of a 17 year old minor printed here. Usually such names are withheld. (I'm assuming the parents consented to the name being released for the 16 year old crash victim who was injured)

Terry Star21

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.

In all respect for Liz and the families tragedy, is it normal for teens that young to be out at that time ? I don't know, just asking ?

Silly Sally

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 1 p.m.

This is a tribute to cars being much safer than in years past, too. Its a good thing that cars for the past 30 years have had a bar inside the doors. Cars from the 1960s didn't. Ditto for collapsing steering columns, seat belts and shoulder harnesses, air bags, and front ends that crumple. True, cars now will cost a lot more to fix, but that is so much cheaper than a hospital stay. Still, there is more that can be done. Bumpers need to be the same height - some trucks are at the windshield height of cars.

John of Saline

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 3:15 p.m.

The bar you see on the trailer of big trucks that extends down is called the "Mansfield bar." It's to try to prevent cars from going under the truck trailer, and it's named after Jayne Mansfield, who died in such an accident.

Blue Marker

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.

The phone call no partent wants to get. Good luck to this young lady in recovery and I hope for the best for mom and dad too.

getyourstorystraightfirst

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 2 a.m.

this is so scary considering the same sort of accident that happened last week at dexter/maple in ann arbor. glad she is ok & recovering

Linda Peck

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.

Blessings for quick healing, Lizzie!

ummsw

Wed, May 2, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.

Sending prayers and good thoughts to Lizzie and her family.

Tru2Blu76

Wed, May 2, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.

Truly, this is a tragic situation. I'm glad that there's no closed head trauma mentioned and I hope Lizzie Bauer didn't suffer such an injury. Offering prayers for her quick and complete recovery.

Dog Guy

Wed, May 2, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.

Our family is praying for healing of all involved, but especially Lizzie.