OTTAWA - Amanda Young became a mother against drunk driving, before her child was even born.
The 20-year-old Perth resident doesn't remember much of anything of Friday night, when, while in labour and on her way to the hospital -- her vehicle was hit head-on.
OPP Const. Sean Trahan said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.
It happened July 16 around 8:13 p.m. on Drummond Concession 1, while Young was en route to give birth at the hospital in Smiths Falls. Trahan said two cars collided head-on while rounding a curve on the back road.
In total, eight people were injured and Young was one of two who had to be airlifted to the Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus in serious condition.
Young wasn't thrown from the vehicle, but received extensive lacerations to her face. She gave birth to a healthy six-pound, 14-ounce baby girl that night, who she's named Savannah.
Young and the baby are staying with her grandparents in Perth and she was still too groggy Wednesday to speak about the incident.
Grandmother Carol Runge said Young is "pretty upset" about the wounds to her face.
"She was such a pretty girl," Runge said, adding now her granddaughter has to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon.
Runge said Young didn't break any bones in the crash, which closed the road for several hours Friday night and into Saturday morning.
She's been told Young's injuries have to heal before any reconstructive surgery can be done.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving national president Margaret Miller said many might categorize this as a miracle case, which could have been much worse.
"Was she lucky? She wasn't lucky. She would have been lucky if that driver hadn't been on the road," Miller said. "Although it could have been much worse, it could have also been much better."
OPP said charges are pending, once the investigation is complete.
doug.hempstead@sunmedia.ca
