Michaela Howk, during a recently trip to New York City Central Park. The How family toured the city for the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. Submitted photo

MINNEAPOLIS – A former New Ulm woman, 26-year-old Michaela Howk, is in critical condition following a hit-and-run accident in Minneapolis, Wednesday.

Howk sustained several injuries but has regained consciousness. Her parents Michael and Sheila Howk said she is expected to recover.

“She’s actually doing very well,” Michael Howk said Friday afternoon. “She’s a fighter.”

He said his daughter recently went through successful pelvic surgery. She has broken leg and fractured kneecap. She also sustained trauma to her head resulting in a brain bleed, but Michael Howk said the bleed is currently under control, but the hospital will continue to monitor it.

“Her injuries are expected to heal,” Sheila Howk said.

The Howk family was extremely relieved to see their daughter’s resilience considering the severity of the accident.

Michaela Howk was hit by a motorist shortly before 2 a.m. on Jan. 1. She left a New Year’s party and was returning home on foot. She was crossing at the intersection of 4th and University Avenues NE, when a motorist struck her, then fled the scene.

“She was a block and a half away from her home when it happened,” Michael Howk said. “She was walking cross the street when she was hit.”

It is not clear how long Michaela lay in the middle of the road after being hit. There were no eyewitnesses to the hit-and-run. Michael Howk said a neighbor might have heard an accident happen but it is uncertain of the timing.

“Thankfully, a young woman drove by and stopped,” Sheila Howk said. “She was the biggest angel of the night.”

The young woman who stopped was a local college student who noticed Michaela Howk lying in the road. She stopped and had her passengers stand around Michaela to block traffic until help arrived.

The good Samaritan has asked not to be named, but Mike and Sheila Howk were able to call and thank her personally for helping their daughter.

After officers arrived, Michaela was transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in critical condition. Initially, HCMC staff were uncertain who to contact. Michaela Howk had recently moved back to Minnesota from Nashville, Tennessee. She had not changed her driver’s license yet. Staff assumed she was a resident from Tennessee, unaware she was hit less than two blocks from her home.

Eventually, a nurse searched her name on Facebook and was able to reach out to her father. Michael Howk said he found out his daughter was in the hospital around 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, nine hours after the accident.

Following news of the accident, Michaela’s cousin Nate Bauer started an online fundraising page to help cover her medical expenses.

Bauer wrote on the fundraiser page this accident was a major setback for his cousin. Before being hit, she planned to start a new job on Monday, Jan. 6 working as an EMT at the Children’s Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis.

Howk’s injuries prevent her from taking the new job. She will also need ongoing medical care, rehabilitation and extensive physical therapy. It is also expected her home will require modification as she recovers. The target goal for the fundraiser is $50,000. As of Friday, Jan. 3, the campaign has raised over $41,000.

Howk’s parents were overjoyed to see the outpouring of support from friends and family.

“That is truly amazing what [Bauer] did,” Michael Howk said.

“It is wonderful to know that we have the support of town behind us,” Sheila Howk said.

Michaela Howk confirmed his daughter will require significant rehabilitation. Sheila Howk said HCHC has an aggressive therapy program. It is estimated it could be 12 weeks before Michaela can move around. After her rehabilitation, her parents plan to move her back to New Ulm.

The Howk family remains grateful for all the support they have received in these difficult times.

“We cannot express our appreciation and thanks enough to friends and family who have supported us–even people we don’t know,” Sheila said. “It has been amazing.”

Individuals can contribute to the fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-michaela-heal-a-familys-fight-after-a-hitandrun.