Wrong-way crash victim Paula Holden may lose leg

Sep 18, 2012 - 05:34
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Wrong-way crash victim Paula Holden may lose leg
Paula Holden

Relatives of the survivor of a wrong-way wreck in Gwinnett County said she faces close to $1 million in mounting medical bills and may lose a leg.

Police said an 18-year-old drunken driver hit Paula Holden head-on in early September on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

The crash left Holden with two broken legs, two broken arms and eight broken ribs.

"The bones that were broken that could be fixed have been fixed. Unfortunately, her right leg that was crushed in the car is still very badly damaged," Holden's stepmother Jackie Crumpler told GA Daily News.



Thus far, Holden, 43, has undergone six surgeries. Crumpler said doctors said she will need many more if they can save her right leg. 

Her father told Channel 2's Erica Byfield she was looking for a job at the time of the accident and has no insurance.

"The financial strain is going to be unbelievable," Paul Crumpler said.

Holden's family is asking her to focus on her recovery and have set up a website for donations for her medical bills.

"It's going to be such a long road," said Jackie Crumpler.

Gwinnett police said they will charge the other driver, Brittany Dutka, when she is released from the hospital.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.