FARGO - The 25-year-old Moorhead woman who was ejected from her vehicle in an Interstate 94 crash this month is in a coma at Essentia Health.
The family of Danielle "Nella" Pitzen is sharing updates on her condition through a CaringBridge website as she recovers from a traumatic brain injury.
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As of Friday, April 6, Pitzen was able to wiggle her toes and squeeze her hands, according to the website. She suffered two broken vertebrae, a broken arm and ribs in the crash and remains on a ventilator.
The crash happened Monday afternoon, April 2, as Pitzen was entering eastbound I-94 from the 45th Street South ramp, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
After losing control of her Jeep Liberty on an icy stretch of road, Pitzen crossed the median and entered the westbound lanes of I-94 facing north, where her SUV was struck by a westbound Dodge Caravan, the patrol said.
The Caravan driver told troopers he tried to slow down to avoid Pitzen's vehicle but was unsuccessful. Yaacoub Shaia, 51, of Moorhead, was taken to Sanford Medical Center with serious injuries that were not life-threatening, authorities said.
The patrol said speed as well as icy road conditions were factors in the crash, which is under investigation.
An online fundraiser to help cover Pitzen's medical costs was created at . Over $7,100 had been raised as of Saturday, April 7.
