SANDPOINT — A Sagle mother and daughter are feeling the community's support as they remain hospitalized from injuries received in a June 13 crash in Montana at the start of a family vacation.

Miki Hammersberg and her mother, Randi, were critically injured in the crash near Butte, Mont., that killed Mike Hammersberg.

"Our overwhelming thanks go out to each one of you. It takes a village, and the Hammersbergs are grateful to be a part of yours," said Kim Wales, niece of Randi and Mike Hammersberg.

Randi Hammersberg has been transported to St. Luke's Rehabilitation Center in Spokane, accompanied by friends and family. Wales said the Sagle resident will soon start physical therapy as she works to heal from a spinal fracture, 12 broken ribs and several other broken bones.

"Her pain is being managed well and she is getting more talkative each day," Wales posted in an update on a GoFundMe page set up to help the family pay medical bills and living expenses.

Daughter Miki was recently moved from Harborview's trauma intensive care unit to the hospital's inpatient care. Since being flown by medical helicopter to the Seattle Level 1 trauma center, Wales said her cousin has been in and out of the operating room and faces additional reconstructive surgeries in the coming months as well as a lengthy rehabilitation.

"Miraculously, she did not sustain trauma to her head, brain or spine," Wales said. "She has a large extended family here in the Seattle area and is being lovingly cared for on a daily basis by aunts, cousins and family friends."

The family was hours into a planned vacation when their Ford Explorer was struck by a BMW 528 driven by an 18-year-old Oregon woman. Montana Highway Patrol said the teen was eastbound on Interstate 90 with a 17-year-old male passenger, also from Oregon, and was traveling above the posted speed limit when she failed to maintain her lane of travel as she approached a slight curve in the highway.

According to MHP troopers, the BMW left the left lane of travel and collided with the Hammersbergs' Ford Explorer in the right lane, causing it to spin out and overturn multiple times. Mike and Randi Hammersberg were both ejected from the SUV. Michaela "Miki" Hammersberg was partially ejected and had to be extricated from underneath the Explorer.

Mike Hammersberg was declared dead at the scene. Both mother and daughter were flown by medical helicopter to Missoula, with Miki Hammersberg later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the region's Level 1 trauma center, with potentially life-threatening injuries.

An investigation into the crash, including toxicology results, could take up to a month to complete, MHP officials said.

While their phones were recovered from the accident scene, Wales said neither Randi nor Miki Hammersberg is up to communication at present. However, Wales encouraged community members to share messages of support and encouragement via the GoFundMe page. All messages are being shared with the mother and daughter.

Letters can also be sent via mail to:

Randi Hammersberg — Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Center, 711 S. Cowley St., Spokane, WA 99202, Attention: Patient Randahl Hammersberg, Room 205. Wales said her aunt is expected to be at the center until at least July 4.

Miki/Michaela Hammersberg — Kim Wales, 16247 205th Place SE, Renton, WA 98059; Attention: Miki Hammersberg.

For those who have current business with the Image Maker, please reach out to Celeste Meurlott at Camera Corral in Coeur d'Alene at 208-664-2420. The Camera Corral will be assisting the Image Maker for the time being to fulfill orders. All proceeds from Image Maker clients will be forwarded to Randi and Miki.

A GoFundMe page set up to benefit the family had raised more than $42,000 of its $50,000 goal as of Monday evening.

"Words cannot express the immeasurable gratitude and appreciation we feel toward all of you. Your overwhelming generosity and support of the Hammersberg family is incredible," Wales said. "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

To donate to the GoFundMe campaign or to leave a message of support, go to bit.ly/4e6k8Lq.