Polson resident 'making strides' after summer crash

Gerry Ouellette says he may be a little biased, but he feels that his wife’s story should someday be told by Hollywood.

“I truly feel this is a movie. It should be called ‘Mary’s Miracle,’” he said.

The Polson couple have been in Seattle, Wash., since Aug. 10, when she was involved in a fatal crash on Kerr Dam Road.

Doctors weren’t positive she would make it beyond intial surgeries, and through their work and patience, Mary is at Kindred Hospital in Seattle with Gerry by her side.

IN THE late summer afternoon, Patrick Allen Pierre III died following the head-on collision that happened two miles south of Polson.

Montana Highway Patrol said Pierre was driving a Ford Mustang southbound when he drifted into the northbound lane as he approached the first curve of the road.

He corrected back into the southbound lane, only to again drift into the northbound lane, striking a Chrysler Town and Country van driven by Mary.

Gerry said that Mary, 62, broke just about every bone in her body as a result of the crash — except her head, neck and spine.

Talking with The Leader on Dec. 27, 2018, while Mary was visiting with medical personnel, Gerry explained that from his understanding, first responders had to jack the dashboard of the van she was driving off her feet and legs.

Along with her multiple fractures, Mary’s worst injuries involved her left ankle and foot.

“One of her heels was taken off,” he said, adding that surgeons had to take muscle from her inner thigh to graft to her ankle during reconstruction.

Mary experienced broken arms and legs, five broken ribs, a broken pelvis and even shattered kneecaps.

“A phenomenal surgeon said she would fix them,” Gerry said, referring to the patellas. That surgeon sat down for hours working on them, he said.

ALONG WITH a great medical staff, Gerry said that the couple’s children — three sons, including Jean Paul, Aaron and Gabe — have been wonderful as well.

Of course, their children were devastated, Gerry said, but they have pitched in to help out when they are able.

Two brothers have medical experience, and Gerry said they’ve helped explain protocol and procedures throughout the last nearly five months.

The Ouellette grandchildren, Gerry noted, are doing well handling it but as it’s explained to them, their grandmother is sick but getting better in the hospital.

The generosity hasn’t stopped with family members.

Gerry shared that not too long ago, a woman called, saying she wanted to send something to Mary while she is in the hospital.

While the last several months have been hectic, Gerry said he at first thought the gal was a friend, and in the conversation he asked her to remind him who she was.

The woman, he said, doesn’t personally know Mary or Gerry, but she was having lunch at Betty’s Diner in Polson and saw a poster with Mary’s story on it.

The woman explained she wanted to do somthing nice for Mary, so she sent her a handmade quilt.

Also around Mary’s room are 150 cards with well wishes and words of encouragement, Gerry said, from friends, family and people they don’t know.

“Spiritually, she’s doing fantastic,” Gerry said.

Gerry said the family is also thankful for the woman who called the crash in to 911 almost immediately.

“(That woman) didn’t panic. She pulled off to the side of the road and called,” Gerry recalled.

Also giving support to Mary are her co-workers with the Agency for Aging in Polson.

Gerry said that they have expressed they are keeping her position for her, waiting for Mary to be able to get back to helping people.

AN INTERESTING thing to come of all this, Gerry noted, is that since friends, family and those curious of Mary’s story aren’t with them constantly, so they may not realize the extent of her injuries.

A family member asked how many stitches Mary had at one point, and Gerry responded that she had about 100 stitches between her arms alone, in addition to more in her hips, legs and “everywhere else.”

“We are literally taking it day by day,” he said.

Gerry said that he’s anticipating an upcoming doctor’s visit to give a little more of a timeline of when Mary will be able to come back to western Montana.

Mary will be assessed to see if she can begin to put weight on her new knees and feet, and if she is able, she will be moved to a skilled nursing facility — hopefully closer to home.

“I’m hoping and praying in another six weeks or so we’ll be well enough to be home for at least Easter,” Gerry said.

As they’ve gotten to know some of the staff, Gerry said one day a nurse practitioner asked questions about the crash.

Gerry said that while Mary’s journey has been long and difficult, they have forgiven Pierre for the crash.

“We’re just carrying on, keeping positive and getting healthy,” he said.

GERRY SAID that cards are welcome in Mary’s room, although the couple does not need any more food. “People have been more than generous,” he said, laughing, saying that people have donated pizzas and all kinds of treats throughout their stay in Seattle.

To send Mary a card or donation, the address is: 1334 Terry Ave., Room 314, Seattle, WA 98101.