Fund Set Up For Injured Officer And Teacher

A Tulsa police officer and his wife are slowly recovering after being hit by a suspected drunk driver as they left Mayfest. Kyle and Miranda Crone were on a motorcycle and both have massive injuries.

Kyle has been an officer for four years and Miranda teaches sixth and seventh grade Spanish in Broken Arrow. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports they both have a long road ahead of them.

Kyle and Miranda Crone got married in December, in Cancun. They were planning a large reception for their family and friends this summer. Those plans are now on hold.

They were at Mayfest on May 17th and left about 9 p.m. on his motorcycle, when police say a woman pulled out, headed right for them.

"It came straight at me, southbound in the northbound lane," said Kyle Crone. "There was nowhere to go, only thing to do was dump the bike and hope for the best."

The best is they are alive, thanks to their helmets, but Kyle's back is broken in two places and he's had surgery to insert rods and pins. Miranda's had three surgeries to repair her broken back and broken ankles. Her pelvis is broken, too.

It's certainly not how they expected to start their married life.

"It's a little overwhelming but I think together, we can continue on, press on, just glad to be alive and be together," said Kyle Crone.

As a patrol officer, Kyle has seen the results of drunk driving. Miranda hopes her students will now understand the devastating effects and make better choices.

"So many young people go to clubs and drink and get in cars and drive to other clubs or a friend's house and they just think of the fun, they don't think of the outcome of what could happen," said Miranda Crone.

Miranda hopes to teach in the fall, even if she's in a wheelchair at first. Once Kyle gets feeling back in his legs, he'll have to learn how to walk all over again.

Despite the daunting physical challenges and mountain of medical bills, they have a positive outlook.

"We could be angry about it, but it won't change anything for us, just have a positive attitude and get back to where we want to be in life, get back to normal working order, enjoy our friends and our life," said Kyle Crone.

Police arrested Jennifer Russell the night of the accident and say her blood alcohol was 1.3. She had two children in the car with her at the time. She's facing charges of driving while intoxicated, having an open container and failing to yield.

If you would like to help the Crones, mail donations to:

Kyle & Miranda Crone

c/o Major Julie Harris

7515 S. Riverside Dr.

Tulsa, OK 74136

If you're sending a check, it should be made payable to Kyle & Miranda Crone.