The Crofton community was staggered last week with reports an accident involving two young girls that were struck by a vehicle as they were walking to school last Friday morning, August 30, 2024.
Typically, the Journal would not report the names of juveniles, but with permission from the family, they will be listed in this story.
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s office, at about 8:04 a.m., the Sheriff’s office received a 911 call that there had been a vehicle/pedestrian accident at the intersection of West Harold St. and West 5th St. in Crofton (along Highway 12).
Upon investigation, it was discovered that two juvenile girls – later identified by family as Breanna, 11, and Katelynn, 8, Schieffer, two daughters of Carl and Nancy Schieffer of Crofton – had been struck by an eastbound vehicle while crossing at the flashing crosswalk.
“A westbound vehicle had seen the two girls at the intersection and stopped. An eastbound vehicle, driven by a juvenile male, did not stop at the flashing crosswalk light or the crosswalk. The two girls began crossing West Harold St and were struck by the eastbound vehicle.” said the report.
Crofton Fire and EMS responded to the accident, and both girls were transported to Yankton Avera Hospital prior to law enforcement arrival, and then they were taken to Avera McKennan Hospital’s Pediatrics Unit in Sioux Falls, S.D. for surgeries and recovery.
Following numerous surgeries, braces and inspections – both girls have been taken off their ventilators and are moving and speaking on their own. Breanna suffered several broken bones and fractures – pelvis, arms and ribs, and some breathing complications; and Katelynn suffered broken bones in her face, ribs, and hips, and broken femur with other injuries similar to her sister, with doctors watching for any complications from head trauma from the accident as well.
“We are feeling so optimistic. Such a horrific accident happened, and, five days later, we are talking about the next steps out of the ICU,” said Nancy Schieffer, the girls’ mother, “We have been witnessing two true miracles.”
Doctors also remain cautiously optimistic as to their complete recovery, watching for internal bleeding and any other head trauma, and toward the end of September 2, just three days after the accident, the family posted:
“To be clear: It was the best day. We had lots of smiles and feelings of joy. But we are keenly aware that this is the beginning. And we need people to keep hoping and praying for more days like this. They are still considered in critical condition. Absolutely not “out of the woods.” Their road is still very long ahead of them. But we are feeling all the love and support, and so are Bre and Kate.”
A CaringBridge website has been created and updated for the girls and their progress to recovery – and while both girls remain in rather critical condition, the family has been posting hopeful comments about their recovery.
Just a few days following the accident and the creation of the CaringBridge site, it had been viewed 68,132 times by visitors. The site can be found at: www.caringbridge.org, and by searching “Schieffer.”
In addition to the updates on CaringBridge, a GoFundMe site has been set up by the relatives of the Schieffers, to help raise funds for medical expenses, travel and the girls’ recovery.
In an outpouring of community support, there has been just more than $24,000 raised from 224 donors toward the $25,000 goal already.
The GoFundMe can be found at www.gofundme.com and by searching “Crofton” – or by the following link: https://gofund.me/1f052e3b. Funds can also be sent by Venmo to @Nancy-Schieffer
Carl and Nancy Schieffer have four girls – Hannah, 18, Ashlynn, 16, Breanna, 11, and Katelynn, 8, and reside in Crofton.
Anyone that would like to mail encouragements to the girls, their address is below:
Breanna & Katelynn Schieffer
Avera McKennan Hospital
Pediatrics Unit
1325 S. Cliff Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD, 57105