KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City mom and her son were badly injured after an alleged drunk driver hit their car head-on late last month in Clay County.
A man has been charged with driving while intoxicated in connection with that crash in the area of C Highway and W Highway.
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Lindsey Thomas, a Kearney math teacher, said she’s grateful her family is alive after a truck hit their car head-n mangling their vehicle.
“I remember seeing a license plate coming right at my head,” Thomas said.
She was heading north on C Highway at around 6 p.m. on Sept 27 and said she was driving behind a car when that driver swerved out of the way. Next thing she knew, a truck had crossed the center line and hit her head-on.
Following the impact, Thomas screamed for her 10-year-old son, Leo. He was strapped in a booster seat in the back.
“I was terrified that I had lost him I mean, it was probably the most traumatic experience of my life,” Thomas said, “Hearing him whimper was like, thank God, that he was going to be ok. I knew that he was at least alive.”
The driver of the Ford F-150 was Scott Mathis, according to court documents.
He’s charged in Clay County with driving while intoxicated.
Court documents show Mathis told authorities “he had been drinking prior to driving.”
A breath test showed his blood alcohol concentration was more than two times the legal limit.
On October 8, Mathis pleaded not guilty.
FOX4 reached out to Mathis’ attorney for comment. He has not responded.
“Your actions to have that drink before you drive can change the course of somebody’s life completely,” Thomas said.
Leo suffered intestinal injuries. He’s now temporarily sidelined from tackle football and devastated.
Meanwhile Thomas’s right arm is shattered.
“My surgeon described it as like stomping on a piece of chalk,” Thomas said.
She also broke several bones in her foot.
Thomas’ tibia, sternum and nose – all broken. It could be months before Thomas is back on her feet.
However, she’s grateful for the support from the community, co-workers and Dad Larry Miller.
“It just is overwhelming,” Miller said. “The love and support that her friends have had for her.”
He’s taking care of his girl, while she can’t walk.
“That’s my job,” Miller said.
Thomas said she misses teaching her 5th Graders math at Dogwood Elementary.
“I love my kids,” Thomas said. “I can’t wait to get back to them.”
While no numbers are involved in this lesson, Thomas sends a message to her students.
“Be safe, wear your seat belt,” Thomas said. “If you’re in a booster, my son was still in a booster, like yeah, you don’t think it’s cool, but it can save your life, if you do the right things like that.”
Thomas said it may be a couple months before she’s back on her feet and back teaching her 5th graders.
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Lindsey’s sister created a GoFundMe page. It’s raised more than $8,200. If you would like to donate, see here.
Mathis is scheduled to appear in court next for a hearing on Oct. 30, at 1:30 p.m.
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