Gabby Kranock remains in Erie County Medical Center after a horrific incident on Sept. 3.

An 18-year-old Cattaraugus County woman remains at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo after a horrific drunk-driving incident that occurred in early September. In the meantime, family and friends are urging community members to send good-well wishes in the coming weeks.

On Sept. 3, Gabby Kranock sustained severe injuries from a crash of an underage drunk driver in Portville. She was not in the car, but standing in a yard. During that same incident, a 19-year-old man died and one other teenager was injured on Route 417.

Cattaraugus County sheriff’s deputies reported that at around 1:25 a.m., a pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old Little Genesse resident Skyler J. Hess struck a Jeep that was legally parked on the side of the road, propelling the Jeep across the lawn and fatally striking Kayden Joseph Belleisle, 19, of Olean. The truck continued on and hit a parked sedan before driving across a lawn. One of both of the vehicles hit Hailey Bello, 16, and Kranock, both who attended Cuba-Rushford Central School.

Hess is facing felony charges of vehicular homicide and assault as well as driving while intoxicated.

After three weeks in the trauma ICU at ECMC, Kranock was moved to a regular room on Sept. 21. She is paralyzed below her shoulders, but can shrug them, and she can feel the pressure on her arms when they are being rubbed.

Christie Reynolds, a friend of the family, said Kranock has endured multiple neck and back surgeries in hopes to reverse the paralysis, although the doctors say she has a slim chance to ever walk again. “Her family and friends are staying positive and hopeful that a miracle awaits her!” Reynolds said.

“She suffers tremendous pain in her throat, shoulders, and the middle of her back that doctors are continually trying to manage for her. Her parents, Lisa and Denis Kranock, live (90 minutes) away from the hospital and have been staying in Buffalo to be near their daughter. Because of this, they are not able to work.

“They have already incurred so many expenses due to this tragedy already, and tons more will be added with Gabby’s very long road to recovery and special needs expenses when she finally gets to go home. Please consider donating to help ease the unbelievable stress on her parents so that they can focus on the healing of their beautiful daughter. Thank you!”

A Go Fund me site has been set up at https://gofund.me/c18b76c7 and so far more than $24,000 has been raised.

In a note on the page, her mother said: “She is far from being pain-free, but the doctors have managed to get it better controlled for her. Even with all these obstacles, ups and downs, and suffering, Gabby remains in good spirits. She has a very long recovery road ahead of her, but Gabby’s determination to fight is strong!”

In addition, a card shower for Kranock is being encouraged. Residents can send the card to: ECMC, 462 Grider St., Attn: Gabriel Kranock, 7th Floor – Room 757, Buffalo NY 14215.