Sole survivor of car crash that killed three people in Lawrence County, speaks out
Aubrey Bogacki survived a car accident so intense and so tragic, it ended the lives of her father, sister and brother and left her with a broken arm, collapsed lung and neck injuries, among other things. Her drive home from a 20 day stay in the hospital was a celebration as hundreds lined the streets of Beaver Falls to welcome her.
21 News Reporter Sydney Canty is the only local journalist who had the opportunity to speak with Aubrey and her mother.
"She progressed so quickly and she fought so hard and never gave up and pushed herself and where she's at today, is unbelievably amazing," Nicole Bogacki, Aubrey's mother, said.
Aubrey expressed both gratitude and sadness.
"I'm sad and happy at the same time," Aubrey said. "Sad what I went through and happy from all the support behind me," she said.
That support came from all over, whether it was fellow softball players, people she knew or didn't know.
"I'm really glad she's coming home this early," Rilee Swank, a fellow softball player said. "We've been playing with her, softball, we see her almost every tournament and it's just super exciting," she said.
The show of support was so strong for Aubrey, it brought out emotions in many of the people who showed up to cheer her on.
"Whenever this all happened, we didn't even know if she was gonna survive and then we didn't know if she was ever gonna walk," Amy Hepak, Aubrey's aunt said. "It's gonna be a hard road but this (support) is getting us through, it really is," she said tearfully.
"They have been always supportive, those kids together," Amy Swank, a mother of one of Aubrey's fellow softball players said. "I always joke they should be mic'd up on a softball field because they just cheer each other on and encourage each other. I'm just so, so thankful that they have Aubrey," she said tearfully.
Both Aubrey and her mother are thankful for the mountain of support they've received.
"It feels amazing," Bogacki said. "I could never imagine the amount of support from family, friends, the community, softball teams that have done amazing things for her, fundraising, the support is just outpouring from everywhere and I truly believe all the support and prayers has helped Aubrey to get where she's at today," she said.
Aubrey is focused on getting back to what she loves.
"I wanna start going back on the field for softball and that's my goal," Aubrey said.
Bogacki said they have not yet laid their loved ones to rest, as they were waiting for Aubrey to be released from the hospital. Bogacki tells 21 News that now, the funeral will happen very soon.