On County Road D in Phillips on June 3, 2025, every parent's nightmare came true for Mike and Terri Franson when they learned their almost 17-year-old daughter, Stephanie, had been injured in a car accident.
According to Terri, "We do not know exactly what happened. All we or the police can do is guess. After school, she did a few things around town. Being an early dismissal day, Mike and I were driving our bus routes." Mike and Terri got home. Their daughter told them she had to pick one thing up at the store, drop off a co-worker, and then she would be home. Everything went according to plan until she turned onto County Road D. "She remembers turning onto D, but that's it," Terri shared. "We figure it was raining, and she knew she had a phone appointment at 3 p.m. with DVR to get things going for school after she graduated. We think she was just trying to get on the road and forgot to put her seatbelt on, hit a puddle of water just before the first bridge, and hydroplaned. The officer was thinking the same." They believe the truck rolled four or five times, and Stephanie got thrown from the truck.
Submitted photo.
After such a horrific crash, the extent of her injuries was unknown, but, thankfully, she was alive. Doctors at the hospital in Park Falls determined she had a broken bone in her neck, lacerated liver, and bruised lungs. She also had a gash above her eye, along with other scrapes and bruises.
Stephanie was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield to be seen by the trauma team. Doctors there found many injuries, including a skull fracture, fracture in her neck and the 4th vertebrae, fracture in her lower spine, bleeding from her lower spleen, possible slight bleeding from the top of her spleen, and a fracture in her pelvic area. They took more tests to determine the best road to recovery.
Submitted photo.
On June 4, 2025, it was determined Stephanie would need surgery to repair her pelvis. According to her mother, Terri, a screw was put in place to hold everything together.
The next day, Stephanie was able to sit on the side of the bed and stand twice. Her mom shared, "One time standing was quick due to the pain, but the second time she worked through her pain and stood for five seconds. She needs to learn how to stand and walk with little to no pressure on her right leg until the pelvis heals a bit from the surgery." Later that day, her neck brace was removed. Progress was being made.
Submitted photo.
Stephanie was able to walk across her ICU room on June 6, and she was able to leave ICU that evening. She was transferred to a regular hospital room. Once she comes home, the physical therapists suggested Stephanie have a ramp to be able to get into the family's home. The house currently does not have a ramp.
Terri stated that Stephanie will also need a vehicle she can easily get in and out of, especially to travel to follow-up doctor's appointments, and Terri's 2011 Chevy Traverse will be the best option for her to get into. Unfortunately, it needs some repairs, including a timing chain, valve cover gaskets, front brakes, front struts, rear shocks, and a front stabilizer bar. Mike can do the repair work once they have the parts, Terri shared.
If anyone is willing to donate boards or money for a ramp or parts or money for the repair of a car, it would be much appreciated by the Franson Family. You can reach out to Terri on Facebook to send money via Facebook or Cash App, donate on GoFundMe, or you can send it to their address at W2998 County Road D, Phillips, WI 54555.
Stephanie and her parents are appreciative of the prayers sent and kindness already shown by the community.
(This post was last modified: 06-13-2025, 10:59 PM by My Northern Wisconsin.)
According to Terri, "We do not know exactly what happened. All we or the police can do is guess. After school, she did a few things around town. Being an early dismissal day, Mike and I were driving our bus routes." Mike and Terri got home. Their daughter told them she had to pick one thing up at the store, drop off a co-worker, and then she would be home. Everything went according to plan until she turned onto County Road D. "She remembers turning onto D, but that's it," Terri shared. "We figure it was raining, and she knew she had a phone appointment at 3 p.m. with DVR to get things going for school after she graduated. We think she was just trying to get on the road and forgot to put her seatbelt on, hit a puddle of water just before the first bridge, and hydroplaned. The officer was thinking the same." They believe the truck rolled four or five times, and Stephanie got thrown from the truck.
Submitted photo.
After such a horrific crash, the extent of her injuries was unknown, but, thankfully, she was alive. Doctors at the hospital in Park Falls determined she had a broken bone in her neck, lacerated liver, and bruised lungs. She also had a gash above her eye, along with other scrapes and bruises.
Stephanie was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield to be seen by the trauma team. Doctors there found many injuries, including a skull fracture, fracture in her neck and the 4th vertebrae, fracture in her lower spine, bleeding from her lower spleen, possible slight bleeding from the top of her spleen, and a fracture in her pelvic area. They took more tests to determine the best road to recovery.
Submitted photo.
On June 4, 2025, it was determined Stephanie would need surgery to repair her pelvis. According to her mother, Terri, a screw was put in place to hold everything together.
The next day, Stephanie was able to sit on the side of the bed and stand twice. Her mom shared, "One time standing was quick due to the pain, but the second time she worked through her pain and stood for five seconds. She needs to learn how to stand and walk with little to no pressure on her right leg until the pelvis heals a bit from the surgery." Later that day, her neck brace was removed. Progress was being made.
Submitted photo.
Stephanie was able to walk across her ICU room on June 6, and she was able to leave ICU that evening. She was transferred to a regular hospital room. Once she comes home, the physical therapists suggested Stephanie have a ramp to be able to get into the family's home. The house currently does not have a ramp.
Terri stated that Stephanie will also need a vehicle she can easily get in and out of, especially to travel to follow-up doctor's appointments, and Terri's 2011 Chevy Traverse will be the best option for her to get into. Unfortunately, it needs some repairs, including a timing chain, valve cover gaskets, front brakes, front struts, rear shocks, and a front stabilizer bar. Mike can do the repair work once they have the parts, Terri shared.
If anyone is willing to donate boards or money for a ramp or parts or money for the repair of a car, it would be much appreciated by the Franson Family. You can reach out to Terri on Facebook to send money via Facebook or Cash App, donate on GoFundMe, or you can send it to their address at W2998 County Road D, Phillips, WI 54555.
Stephanie and her parents are appreciative of the prayers sent and kindness already shown by the community.