My mother, Maria Holt, was on her way to Laytonville to spend a weekend with her best friend for the first time in years when they were hit head on by a speeding vehicle. My mom has been in the hospital since early in the morning on Sept. 12, and is recovering very well. A few of her injuries were slight bleeding in her head, bruising and swelling in her face, a broken nose, fractured chest, contusion on her left lung, eight broken ribs, fractures in her pelvis and a broken femur in her left leg. Upon arrival at the hospital they removed her spleen.

The 10-year-old rear passenger also had major injuries, including a shattered shoulder, separated pelvis and two broken ankles. Her legs were completely reconstructed. She is recovering well and has returned home in the care of her family.

Third-party information has said that the driver of the offending vehicle was not drunk. It has been said that he had purchased the car only a few weeks prior to the accident and was “just testing out the speed.” Apparently he had a nitrous oxide kit installed and it was his first time to use it on the night of the accident when he lost control. Again this is not first-hand information, only word-of-mouth. (If anyone would like to comment on this information feel free to message me.)

To the families of the others involved in the accident we want to extend our deepest condolences. We want to see everyone receive a full recovery. We feel not anger or hostility, but sadness. And we pray that what has happened will change everyone's lives, and help us all to realize that our time here is never certain and to cherish every moment and every person in our lives.

To Char and her family, she will not be forgotten. She was a beautiful person and a loving soul, and her memory will live on in our hearts, as well as in our deeds.

Thank you all for the support we have been receiving, and please keep all of our families in your prayers.

Samantha Taylor lives in Clearlake.

Editor's note: At the time of the crash, the California Highway Patrol reported Taylor's mother's name as being Maria Hill, but family has informed Lake County News that the surname she goes by is Holt.