A Courtenay driver who was pinned between her van and a McDonald’s drive-thru window earlier this month is walking around in hospital and is progressing in her recovery, confirmed family friend Avril Leyden.
Leyden, who is also organizing a fundraiser at the Whistle Stop Pub for 33-year-old Leanne Sami, said doctors are assessing her condition, and she could be moved out of the intensive care unit of Victoria General Hospital very soon.
“I spoke with her mom (Tuesday) night and she’s able to have some solid food, some yogurt,” explained Leyden.
Shortly before 11 a.m. on Remembrance Day, Sami leaned out of her vehicle at the Courtenay restaurant’s drive-thru to pick up money which had fallen.
The van she was driving moved forward and pinned her between the wall of the drive-thru and the van door, said Const. Nicole Hall of the Comox Valley RCMP.
“It hasn’t been determined if she had the vehicle in park, but it could be at some point her foot was on the break petal, and then her foot released,” said Hall earlier this month. “That’s what we’re looking into, but it hasn’t been confirmed.”
Barry Van Dusen, owner of the Whistle Stop Neighbourhood Pub, said Sami was a former employee and was “a good worker and always full of life” when she worked for him a few years ago.
Leyden noted “it’s too early to tell” when Sami will leave the hospital and return to the Comox Valley, but added all funds raised over the weekend will go to help her and her family.
The fundraiser for Leanne Sami is scheduled for Nov. 30/Dec. 1 at the pub, and will feature the house band and a silent auction. Entry to the event is by donation.
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