In a remarkable turn of events, the family of University of Evansville soccer player Abby Guerra was told Saturday that their daughter is alive. Guerra was believed to have been killed last Sunday night in a highway accident 50 miles west of her home in Glendale, Arizona. Instead, the Guerra family and the family of Marlena Cantu, 21, were told Saturday that Cantu was the victim.
Below is a statement from University of Evansville Director of Athletics John Stanley:
"University of Evansville soccer player Abby Guerra is alive.
"One week ago today officials in Arizona reported that the 19-year-old starter for the Lady Aces soccer team had been killed in an automobile accident while en route home to Arizona from a trip to Disneyland with 4 friends. We have confirmed that Abby did not die in the accident, that somehow she was mistakenly identified as the person who died at the scene. Yesterday, Abby parents learned that a young woman lying in a hospital bed in Arizona was in fact their daughter and the parents of the other girl learned that the daughter they thought was hospitalized was in fact deceased.
"We do not have any information as to why or how this tragic mix-up occurred. That is for the officials and the hospital to communicate. What we can tell you is that our head coach, Krista McKendree received a phone call yesterday afternoon from a parent of one of Abby’s teammates. That family had traveled early to Arizona to be with Abby’s family because they were not able to stay for Monday’s planned funeral due to a previous commitment. After they arrived and were headed to the Guerras’ house, they called and were told by an aunt what appeared to be unfolding and were told to go to the hospital instead. They were actually with both girls’ families when they were given confirmation that Abby was the hospitalized girl. That parent told us today that Abby was positively identified by a fingerprint record provided by the family.
"Most of Abby’s teammates, along with all three coaches, and a senior Athletics administrator have arrived in Arizona as previously planned because they were to attend the funeral tomorrow. Now they are there to support Abby, her family, and one another. As you can imagine, this continues to be a very emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved. Throughout the week, University of Evansville’s chaplain and counselors have assisted both players and coaches, including in these hours since they received the startling news about the turn of events. Again, I want to reiterate that information regarding Abby’s condition and the details following the accident will have to come from the hospital and officials in Arizona. We can tell you that Abby did undergo surgery and that her condition has been critical all week. Certainly she, her family, and our girls and staff appreciate all the care and concern so many people have expressed this past week and we encourage you to continue those prayers and support as they are needed just as much now as ever. We at the University of Evansville are all remembering that this is still very much a tragedy as Abby fights for life, two of her friends – one of whom was identified as being her – have died as the result of the accident."
Guerra is in critical condition with brain and back injuries. She was a passenger in a vehicle that included five people, according to police reports. Two perished in the accident. They were returning from an outing at Disneyland in southern California last Sunday when the accident occurred on Interstate 10 at approximately 8:25 local time. The cause of the one-vehicle accident is still under investigation, although police reports indicate that the driver lost control when a tire blew out, and the vehicle rolled over.
All returning players on the UE women's soccer team along with the coaching staff and a member of the athletics administration flew to Arizona over the weekend. Originally their plan was to attend Abby's funeral service Monday night. Now they hope to give comfort to the family in a different way, praying for her recovery.
“The first thing on our mind is Abby," said UE Coach Krista McKendree Monday afternoon. "We’re just wanting the Guerra family to know we are supporting her, and whatever we can do to help, we want to do it. Everyone on the team is thinking good thoughts and saying prayers, and hoping that Abby can continue to have the strength to keep fighting. We can’t imagine how hard it is on her family. We just hope they have the strength to keep the positive thoughts coming.”
Guerra is a nursing major, with hopes of becoming an emergency room nurse. She made an immediate impact for the Aces' soccer team in the midfield as a freshman last fall, earning a place in the starting lineup during pre-season practice and finishing fourth on the team in goals (2) and points (5).
Get-well messages may be sent to Abby through the UE Athletics Dept., 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville IN?47722. Or they may be e-mailed to her at: athletics@evansville.edu.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/07/24/20100724mistaken-identity-car-crash.html
