Kenyon was airlifted to Grand Junction after suffering an unknown level of brain trauma and has made slight improvements in her recovery since the accident. Writing on the website caringbridge.org, which will be used to update recovery progress, Kenyon’s mother, Trudy Kenyon, stated on Tuesday that Amber had made a number of “great little baby steps” since arriving at the hospital. So far, she’s opened her eyes several times throughout the day and had one episode where she opened her eyes when a nurse asked her to do so.
Amber received two sessions with a ventilator in CPAP mode, which Trudy described as a self initiated breathing mode, for roughly four hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.
“It took a lot of effort and I know it will make a big difference in the long run,” Trudy wrote.
The accident occurred just after 9 p.m. at milepost 63.5 near a fairly significant turn in the road. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Darel Reed said Kenyon was driving a 1999 Subaru Forester south on dry roads when she lost control of her vehicle and rotated to the outside of the curve. Officials believe the rear of her car hit spots of icy road treatment on the road’s shoulder causing the car to rotate even further. Her car then traveled back into the southbound lane and across into the northbound lane where she collided head-on with the front left quarter panel of a Cadillac Escalade driven by an Arizona resident.
Reed said Kenyon was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver and four other passengers of the Escalade were taken to local medical facilities for treatment of minor injuries and then released.
While working at the ski school, Kenyon has been regularly employed at Telluride Truffle since the spring of 2010. Telluride Truffle owner Patty Denny was quick to say on Tuesday that Kenyon’s attitude is one-of-a-kind.
“She’s one of the best employees I’ve ever had,” Denny said. “She’s effortlessly responsible and you can really count on her. She’s as good as gold. If somebody deserves to get through this, it’s Amber.”
The Enterprise Bar and Grille,in Rico, will host a candlelight vigil for Kenyon Saturday, Jan. 21, at 8:30 p.m., and a fundraiser. A silent auction/fundraiser is planned for Feb. 4; details to come.
Thank you for your comment.
The description of the accident comes from the official I spoke with at the Colorado State Patrol. Unfortunately, I didn't receive a description of your family and the extent of your family's injuries.
What happens all too often in a tragic story like this is that the effects/suffering of everyone involved is not reported.
I can't imagine the pain, trauma and suffering your family is experiencing because of the accident.
I do appreciate your comment and wish you and your family a speedy recovery.
- Gus Jarvis, associate editor
I am one of the passengers you refer to in the other car. What you fail to report is we are a family of 5 (a father, mother, 9 yr old daughter & 8 year old twin daughters not "an az resident & 4 passengers treated for MINOR injuries & released as you report in your article" Amber Kenyon was doing 55 or 60 mph, according to the police & witnesses in a 35 mph zone, witnesses report she was speeding & ran off the road to the right, twice before eventually coming back across the road into the norhtbound lane barely missing the SUV in front of us & hitting us head on. She was speeding, not wearing her seatbelt & according to the Telluride ER nurse, alcohol was a factor. My family was all admitted to the ER. One of my 8 year old twin daughters who was released from the Telluride Urgent care center's injuries included teeth being knocked out & burns to her face, the other, who is 9 years old has neck, back pain & shoulder burns. My husband, myself & my other 8 year old twin were transported 3 hours away to St Mary's, where we spent the night in the hospital. Our injuries include, internal bleeding, broken bones, missing teeth, dislocated shoulders, chest pain, herniated discs & many other injuries. My heart goes out to Amber's family but I am upset that my family has been disregarded by your article when we did nothing wrong & were 0% at fault. We were doing the speed limit, wearing our seatbelts & are suffering while we can not get as much as her insurance information & have had to pay thousands out of our pocket for our medical bills.