Woodcrest student Willa Evergarden was involved in a serious single-vehicle crash late Monday, April 23, while returning to town with a friend. The incident occurred at the sharp turn just before the wooden bridge on the outskirts of campus.
According to Evergarden, fatigue may have played a role. “It was late, and I didn’t realize how tired I was,” she shared. “There’s that sharp turn before the bridge. I remember turning, but I guess it wasn’t enough.”
She described the terrifying moment her headlights reflected off the wooden planks of the bridge just before impact. “Then there was a big crunch and so much pain,” she recalled. “Thank God for my seatbelt or I could’ve ended up in the water below for sure.”
Emergency responders were called to the scene, and Evergarden received medical attention for her injuries, including a broken right arm. No additional details were available regarding her passenger, but both are expected to recover.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of drowsy driving, especially on familiar but hazardous stretches of road.