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RICHMOND, Ill. — Family and friends are organizing a large fundraiser later this month to support two Twin Lakes sisters who suffered severe injuries in the May 2 head-on crash on Highway 83 in Wheatland.
The fundraiser will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, at Red Dogs Sandwiches, 11011 U.S. Highway 12 in Richmond, Illinois. Organizers say the event will feature live music, food, auctions, and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting sisters Chloe and Olivia Fikert as they continue recovering from their injuries.
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According to promotional materials for the event, organizers are seeking both cash donations and valuable items for the silent auction. Questions about the fundraiser can be directed to Daniel Meine. The event flyer describes the gathering as an opportunity for the community to come together and support the sisters as they rebuild after what organizers describe as a life-changing collision.
The fundraiser comes just weeks after the sisters were seriously injured in a violent head-on crash that shut down Highway 83 and prompted a massive emergency response.
As previously reported by Kenosha County Eye, the crash occurred around 10:06 a.m. on May 2 in the 5700 block of Highway 83 in Wheatland. Authorities allege a northbound vehicle crossed the center line and struck the sisters’ southbound Hyundai head-on.
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One sister remained trapped inside the wreckage for nearly an hour while firefighters worked to free her. Two victims were flown from the scene by Flight for Life helicopters.
Court records allege the driver accused of causing the crash was intoxicated and now faces two felony counts of Injury by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle and two misdemeanor OWI injury counts.
The crash also drew attention after Bristol resident Tom Nevala rushed into the wreckage and pulled a young woman from a burning vehicle moments before it became fully engulfed in flames.
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Despite the severity of the crash, organizers say both sisters have now been released from the hospital and are recovering at home, although their recovery is expected to be lengthy. In messages provided to Kenosha County Eye, an organizer stated that both women plan to attend the June 28 fundraiser.
“I want people to just have fun and be grateful these girls are ok,” one organizer told Kenosha County Eye.
A GoFundMe campaign created by the sisters’ cousin, Kyle Pembroke, and his wife, Ashton Pembroke, has also been established to help cover mounting medical expenses and other recovery-related costs.
The fundraiser flyer describes the physical, emotional, and financial toll of the crash as overwhelming, citing emergency medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, transportation costs, missed work, and the long road to recovery still ahead.
Organizers say every donation, auction item, share, and show of support will help the sisters as they continue rebuilding their lives following the devastating crash.
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3 Responses
Another POS drunk driver that is a drain on society.
Hopefully she gets locked up for a very long time. How anyone can even defend her, is beyond me.
I was thinking about these young girls. Good to hear hey r home. I know recovery will be long. God Bless first responders and All care givers.