‘Long road to recovery’

The survival of a Winnipeg couple who were seriously injured when a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of their SUV has been described by family as nothing short of a miracle.

Carli and Marcus Paetzold, whose pet dog, Oakley, also survived, are facing long recoveries after their vehicle was crushed between two semi-trucks while coming to a stop at Lagimodiere Boulevard and East Mint Place Friday morning.

“Carli suffered many broken bones, a fractured vertebrae and a crushed vertebrae, as well as other injuries,” her cousin, Emily Guenther, wrote in a statement published on a GoFundMe page. “She underwent surgery to fuse her spine which was successful, with surgeons noting that she was incredibly lucky to avoid paralysis.”

Carli, a labour and delivery nurse, was in critical condition when she was airlifted to a city hospital by STARS air ambulance.

Marcus, a paramedic, was transported to hospital by ground ambulance. He suffered a serious concussion, bruises and cuts, and was released Saturday to continue his recovery at home, Guenther wrote.

“Together they have a long road to recovery,” she added.

Oakley got out of the SUV but was tracked down by a Good Samaritan. The dog was “miraculously unharmed,” Guenther wrote.

“We are all still blown away that he came out of that vehicle completely unscathed,” she added.

Guenther said the Paetzolds are looking to their faith and “responding with resilience and hope,” despite the tragic experience and their extensive injuries.

“Together they have a long road to recovery.”–Emily Guenther

“They know that God is not finished with their story and are trusting in His ability to sustain them in the coming days, weeks and months,” she wrote. “The Paetzolds have selfless hearts and desire to serve others in their respective careers, Marcus as a paramedic, and Carli as a labour and delivery nurse. They will be missed in their places of work as they will be required take significant time off to physically recover.”

Carli is expected to remain in hospital for some time.

“Please continue to pray for pain management and recovery to allow for Carli to come home in the coming weeks,” Guenther wrote. “Praise the Lord for the many miracles we have seen already!”

The GoFundMe page had raised more than $24,000 as of Monday afternoon. Funds will be used to help the couple, who are in their mid-20s, with expenses and needs as they arise.

“They’re overwhelmed in a positive way by the support,” Guenther told the Free Press. “They’re the people who always do stuff for everyone else and never want help.”

Maryann Sumka, who worked with Carli at Sumka Brothers Greenhouses for about five years, echoed that sentiment.

“This horrible thing shouldn’t happen to good people,” said Sumka, who was the garden centre manager. “Carli is incredibly selfless — the kind of person who always makes you smile.”

The Winnipeg Police Service wouldn’t comment on potential factors in the crash, nor if charges are being considered.

“At this time we do not have any further updates or details to provide,” a spokeswoman wrote in an email.

Officers from the WPS traffic division are investigating.

The truck that crashed into the back of the SUV bore the name of Agam Container and Dray Services Ltd. General manager Dan Simcock said the company will not comment until the police investigation is complete.

Video that appears to show the collision from the perspective of a dashboard camera on a vehicle in East Mint Place’s eastbound lanes was widely shared on social media. The footage showed the SUV and a semi-truck in front of it slowing to a stop on northbound Lagimodiere at the traffic lights. A tractor-trailer then plowed into the back of the SUV, pushing it into the back of the semi-truck, which was propelled into the intersection. The traffic light for eastbound traffic turned green about two seconds later.

The semi-truck that was pushed into the intersection is owned by T.E.A.M.S. Transport. The T.E.A.M.S. driver — and the Paetzolds — had come to a stop for a red light when the crash happened, said company safety manager Robert Cousins.

Cousins went to the scene afterward to pick up the driver.

“He’s OK. Witnessing what happened there, he’s a little bit shaken up,” said Cousins.

He doesn’t know why the other truck didn’t come to a stop. He said his concern at the scene was the well-being of the couple in the SUV and his company’s driver.

The Agam Container and Dray Services Ltd. truck was hauling a CN Rail container. CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski said “the trucking company is not affiliated with CN and we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.”

Agam Container and Dray Services Ltd. began operating in Manitoba in December 2020, a provincial spokesperson said.

“Since then, the company has been inspected eight times by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “The company passed four inspections, has been placed out-of-service twice and has failed two inspections. This carrier has provided the department with proof of repair for all minor and major vehicle defects uncovered by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspections.”

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca