GoFundMe Site for Couple

An East Hampton woman who was seriously injured on Aug. 6 when she and her boyfriend were struck by a car as they stood on the side of Sunrise Highway has had eight surgical procedures since the accident.

Crystal Hayes, 34, cannot speak because her jaw is wired shut, but her boyfriend, Christopher King, said she was getting a little bit better each day. The couple is praying the fourth operation on her right leg, scheduled for yesterday, which was badly broken, will be the last. Mr. King is recovering from a broken pelvis and a head injury.

A GoFundMe.com page has been set up for Ms. Hayes and Mr. King in the hope that $20,000 can be raised to help support them as they recover. As of yesterday, $3,300 had been donated. 

The couple got to see each other for the first time since the accident late last week Released from a different hospital on Tuesday, his 39th birthday, he wheeled himself into her room at Stony Brook University Hospital on Friday. “We both started crying,” he said. They were only able to spend an hour together, but he said being able to see each other left them in a better state of mind.

In addition to the four right-leg operations and jaw surgery, Ms. Hayes has had surgery on her left leg, had her spine fused to her pelvis, and another surgery solely on her pelvis. She remained listed in serious condition as of yesterday, but doctors are reported to have said she may be able to be discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to begin physical therapy in about 10 days.

As for Mr. King, he said he was starting to feel better though he is still in pain and having nightmares as he relives the accident in his sleep. Staples that had to be put in his head were to be removed yesterday.

The couple were driving on the highway when they saw a fire in the woods, pulled over, and called 911. As they stood on the side of the road, a 20-year-old from Hampton Bays lost control of her car, skidded sideways, and hit them. Ulyana Yaremko was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor, and has been released on $10,000 bail.