Heather Reeves. All photos courtesy of Mickey Bland.

The lives of a Linton couple with three young children were turned upside down in August. As a result of a tragic hit-and-run crash, Heather Reeves remains in intensive care in an Indianapolis hospital where she’s making progress but has been given a zero-chance of ever walking again. Her husband, Aaron Evans, seriously injured but now released from a Terre Haute hospital, is still recovering from his injuries. Now, a cousin and other family members, friends and the community are coming together to host a benefit this Sunday to help the couple put their lives back in order.

Heather Reeves’ car following the crash.

The “Benefit for Heather Reeves” starts at 12 noon this Sunday, September 20, at the VFW Post 7118 in Linton, located at 190 South Main Street. Entertainment and a number of activities, including good food, are scheduled throughout the afternoon, lasting until 6 p.m.

Notorious Betty is set to play from 3-5 p.m. and a DJ will provide music and entertainment the rest of the afternoon.

So far, over 60 items have been donated by individuals and businesses in the community for a Silent Auction, with items ranging from a nostalgic Budweiser sign and a television to gift cards for golfing and food establishments and more.

There were will be 50/50 raffles going on and a special raffle for a “Booze Wagon” which is a little red wagon stocked with approximately 50 bottles of an assortment of alcoholic beverages from high-dollar items down to shot bottles. Raffle tickets for the Booze Wagon are priced at $5 each and one need not be present to win.

The menu includes BBQ plates of pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, cole slaw, chips, a dessert and a drink (can of soda or bottled water), all for $10, served throughout the afternoon. Delivery will be available in the Linton area for orders of five or more plates. To arrange a delivery, call Mickey Bland at 812-798-1906.

Children are welcome in this venue so bring the whole family. It’s a non-smoking environment – smokers can take advantage of areas set aside outside the venue.

Heather Reeves, 33, is the daughter of Michelle Reeves and step-daughter of Riley Padgett of Linton. She is the mother of three boys, ages 7, 9 and 11, and was recently married to Aaron Evans. Heather grew up in Linton and attended Linton-Stockton High School. Prior to the crash, she was employed as a CNA at Glenburn Home in Linton.

The crash occurred on Wednesday, August 19, on North County Road 700 East in Sullivan County, a road some might know as the “Cass Blacktop,” near County Road 350 North. Heather was the driver of blue Chevrolet Cruze passenger car that was northbound. Aaron was a passenger. Luckily, the three boys were not in the car - it was just the two of them that day.

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputy David Holmes reported that Heather’s blue car was passed by a white truck that was also northbound and while it was passing, it collided with the car and ran the car off the road, into a bridge abutment. The truck didn’t stop but continued on its way. The driver of the truck has not been identified. The damage to Heather’s car was extensive. An Indiana State Police CSI was called in to assist in the investigation. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department would still like to know who was driving that truck – they asked the public for information on a white pickup truck with damage to the passenger side, possibly showing blue paint transfer. Anyone with information is asked to contact SCSD at 812-268-4308.

Heather Reeves and her husband, Aaron Evans

Aaron was transported by ambulance to Regional Hospital in Terre Haute in serious condition. Heather was transported via Lifeline air ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition. Heather suffered multiple fractures in her pelvis area, a broken arm, collapsed lungs, multiple injuries to her ribs and she has had fluid on her brain. Due to the injuries to her spine, she has been paralyzed from the waist down and that may not improve. She has been progressing and is being weaned off a ventilator. She has been able to move some parts of her body and has been able to write messages at times when she is on the ventilator part-time now.

Prior to the crash, the family lived in a home on Lone Tree Road in the Linton area. According to her cousin, they were forced to find a new place to live when the landlord sold the house with little warning. Then on the heels of this bad luck, the crash occurred and the family is currently without a home to call their own.

Mickey Bland, who is a cousin to Heather Reeves, has been spearheading the effort to organize the Benefit for Heather Reeves, with assistance from numerous friends, family members and volunteers, and generous support from local individuals, organizations and businesses who have made donations to make the benefit possible.

Bland said all proceeds from the benefit will go toward providing a home for Reeves and her family. Although she has a long road ahead getting out of ICU then eventually into rehab, which is likely to be at Glenburn, whenever she is released from constant care, she is going to need a home that is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp – a place to recover and relearn how to live with different abilities than what she had before.

Bland’s goal is to raise enough funds to cover the cost of a few months’ worth of an appropriate rental home, building materials for a ramp, utilities, whatever furnishings she might now need, and related expenses so she can focus on her recovery and the family can get back on their feet.

For more information on the benefit, or to arrange a meal delivery, or to find out how you can help or donate if you’re unable to attend the benefit, call Mickey Bland at 812-798-1906.