ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Friends and loved ones are rallying for a Gulfport woman and her family after she survived a crash in the early hours Sunday.
Loved ones said Laura Schrock was walking home to her apartment when a driver struck her while crossing the street. She is still recovering in the trauma ICU with severe injuries.
"It's going to be a rough road. Still a rough road," said Melanie Perry, Schrock's sister.
For Perry, it's been a wave of emotions since she said she received the call over the weekend. She said Schrock nearly lost her life.
"She's very broken from the waist down," said Mandy Dietz, Schrock's friend.
Surgeries and rehabilitation are necessary in the recovery process moving forward.
However, the community support is helping those close to Schrock.
"It's those moments that make us stop and smile and feel supported and give us a little break from the heavy stuff," Perry said.
Loved ones said Schrock is known for her kind heart and being a thoughtful person. A positive person who looks for happiness in all things.
"We will give back and we will do everything we need to because she gives to us all the time," Dietz said.
Schrock, an intensive care nurse herself, is described by Perry as someone who always wants to help those around her.
"It's those moments that make us stop and smile and feel supported, and give us a little break from the heavy stuff," she said.
St. Pete Police said it happened past 1 a.m. when a driver heading west on 22nd Avenue South toward 49th Street South. A spokesperson said Schrock walked north on 22nd Avenue South, not in a marked crosswalk, when the crash took place.
The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
A benefit concert will be held at at 6:30 p.m Thurday Salty Nun in St. Pete, with some proceeds going toward Schrock's recovery.
If you'd like to donate to the GoFundMe, visit this link.
