2024 Johnson High School graduate involved in FM 967 accident

BUDA — Recent Johnson High School graduate Ally Schrandt, 18, was driving to a shift at Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood when she was involved in a multi-car collision on June 22, which landed her in the hospital. Now, she is beginning her journey to recovery.

According to Aaron Schrandt, her father, his daughter was one of four vehicles traveling on FM 967 that evening. The two cars in front of Ally pulled off to the side of the road and, before she could react, a car traveling in the opposite lane veered into hers, hitting her head-on. The vehicle behind her also crashed into the 18-year-old. Ally’s car was pushed onto the hood and, subsequently, it rolled over into the ditch near the road.

Witnesses of the crash helped her out of the car, where she was then rushed to the hospital with the following injuries: spinal fluid leaking out of her ear, a broken femur, broken kneecap, fractured pelvis and a fractured vertebra.

Her father noted that the cerebral fluid has ceased and the doctors have placed a titanium rod the full length of her femur, but thankfully, the rest of the injuries will not require surgery due to the location of the fractures.

Despite the good news, Ally faces a long road to recovery, with a minimum of six weeks before she can begin to learn to walk again. Her father explained that this will delay her upcoming first semester of college at Tarleton State University.

“I know they’ll make accommodations, but it is a lot to put on someone. Everything’s brand new and trying to get around on maybe a cane or a crutch and not having the trust you’re going to have to have in that leg to put it down [could be overwhelming],” said Aaron.

Allyssa Burks, Ally’s best friend who has been camping out in the hospital with her, shared how strong her friend has been during this difficult time: “She’s going through something really tough and I’ve just never seen someone shoulder [something like this] head -on. She is taking it full-on and just doing everything she can to make the best out of the situation, but also take care of herself and acknowledge her feelings and her body … We’re the same age, but I’m like, ‘I want to be like you.’”

This strong personality also includes a bubbly aura, with jokester tendencies, Aaron described, including at the scene.

“[At the accident], she’s just being a little sarcastic and sassy like she always is. The guy [who helped her] opens the door and is like, ‘Are you okay?’ And she says, ‘Does it look like I’m okay?’ … After talking with the guy, he’s like, ‘I would have never known that she had all those injuries because she handled it great.’”

Although her journey is just beginning, the community response has been overwhelming, said Aaron. The hospital has been consistently full of visitors, their phones have been full of messages asking how to help and the meal trains are numerous: “It’s been absolutely amazing so far … We’re definitely going to have to have, like, a giant potluck at our house or something.”

A GoFundMe has been set up by Ally’s youth pastor Abarum Soard and can be found at gofund.me/898ab396.