Document text
Belgian teen hurt in Sunday crash By Jessica Smith Rather than register for classes at Phoenix High School, a teenager from Belgium will spend her fifth day in the United States at a Medford hospital recuperating from broken bones suffered in a fatal car crash. Stephanie Marx, 18, one of five passengers in a minivan that was hit in a drunken-driving accident Sunday afternoon, was listed in fair condition at Rogue Valley Medical Center with a broken arm and hand. A local exchange program coordinator said the accident was not the introduction she had planned for Marx, who arrived in the Rogue Valley Friday. It was her first trip to the United States. "Here�s the headline to the story: Welcome to America. Here, meet our drunk driver," lamented Tammy Carr, coordinator for the Cultural Homestay International program. "(Stephanie) was so excited to come over here and visit our country. And now I might have to send her back to her country in this condition." Marx was to register today for classes at Phoenix High School but her injuries may cut her stay short, Carr said. Two other gravely injured teens, including the daughter of Talent resident Jane Talos, who died in Sunday�s crash, remained hospitalized at Providence Medford Medical Center while Jackson County sheriff�s deputies continued to investigate the crash. John Gertsch, 41, faces likely charges of manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants after his van plowed into Talos�s minivan Sunday afternoon, deputies said. Deputies said Monday that preliminary reports show that Gertsch�s blood-alcohol level was well above the legal limit at the time of the crash. Deputies said they found a 40-ounce beer bottle in his van. "Everybody thinks they can take that chance (drinking and driving), and I just wish people wouldn�t," Carr said. "It cost one woman her life and left these kids with this horrible memory. "Friends remembered Jane Talos, 43, who was pronounced dead at the scene, as a creative woman who found beauty everywhere. "She was a very, very funny person ... ," said close friend Sheryl Wirts, of White City. "No matter how sad I was, she could always make me laugh. "Talos, originally from Wisconsin, was a day-care provider and nanny who gave a lot of time to her church, Wirts said. Talos leaves behind a son, Eli, 18, and daughter, Hannah, 14. Hannah, who was in the crash, remained at Providence hospital Monday in serious condition with a head injury. Tim Borders, 17, of Medford, also remained at Providence, where he was listed in critical condition with a fractured spine and severe internal injuries to his abdomen. Two other boys, Jacob and Rhema Nelson, both of Phoenix, were treated and released. Jane Talos and the teens, all members of New Song Community Church, except Marx, were headed home from a swimming outing at Applegate Lake when the minivan they were riding in was struck head-on shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday on Hanley Road. Medford police and sheriff�s deputies each received a report minutes before the crash from drivers who saw a van believed to be Gertsch�s being driven erratically on Biddle Road and West McAndrews Road, Deputy Dace Cochran said. "What�s unfortunate is that so many people saw him driving but there was nothing we could do" to prevent the accident, Cochran added. "We didn�t have anybody in the right spot at the right time. "Family and friends who stood watch over Hannah and Borders Monday said they felt no bitterness toward Gertsch, who was listed in serious condition at RVMC with injuries to his head, one leg and one wrist. "I don�t hold any blame against him," said Audrey Borders, Tim Borders�s mother. "Accidents happen. ... We just have to go on and we have to forgive." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA