Drivers jump into Stones River to save teen driver on The Murfreesboro Post

By: atotix on 2/5/10
This is a Riverdale Senior Girl. Please keep her and her family in your prayers, she is in critical condition at Vandy.
Thank you everyone who helped. This is a sweet sweet girl, who's smile lights up the world. She would have done the same for you....That's the kind of girl she is.

By: parkerq on 2/6/10
thats awesome

By: klasychik on 2/6/10
Thank you to all that helped Alisha. It is because of your quick action that she is alive today. It shows you the good in people that risk their lives to help a stranger in need. We have known her for years. She attended Barfield elementary with my son. She is an angel, a precious girl who would do anything for you and has a heart of gold. Last I heard she was still unconscious at Vandy and very serious condition. She was under water for a very long time. Fortunately, the water was cold enough to have slowed down her heart function. Please continue to pray for her and her family. God had his hand on this one. She is a miracle.

By: klasychik on 2/6/10
Oh, and I had passed this same spot only an hour before Alisha had her accident. I saw the full river and the bad road conditions. It scared me and I thought I had to be extra careful around that curve in front of the Thompson's house. THEY NEED A GUARDRAIL. I can name probably five people off the top of my head that have had accidents there. What does it take???

By: DMKW on 2/6/10
Blessings to all involved. I pray that Alisha recovers fully. It sounds like she's a wonderful person and several wonderful people worked hard for her.

By: PhilHarper on 2/6/10
Yes, these Good Samaritans deserve accolades for risking their lives to rescue this young woman who hopefully will survive in good health. Knowing I wasn't there and don't know the facts I must ask--could this accident (@ those referenced above) have been avoided had speed been 10 MPH less?
Phil Harper, 890-0904

By: LauraB on 2/6/10
@Phil ... the speed limit in the area is a bit high, but I'm an ole gal from the wintery north and was driving at least 10 miles under the speed limit yesterday taking my daughter to school (ask all the people stuck behind me ;-). I hydroplaned once and fishtailed so bad another time that I almost went off the road myself.

@Klasychik ... not only do they need the guardrail, but a little road widening would be good too. When I fishtailed, I was completely in the other lane at one point.

Godspeed to that young woman and many blessings to the brave people who stopped to help. What an amazing example of the best of human nature!

By: drnitemare on 2/6/10
Like a good neighbor, state farm is there! Like a good neighbor, Murfreesboro is there! This is a breath of fresh air as to most of the bad news we hear. These citizens were wonderful! They were angels led to the help of one of God's children. People, we all could be like this and this world would be a better place. God Bless all.

By: ItIsMeAgain on 2/6/10
What an uplifting story. I hope the girl recovers OK.

By: AK-47 on 2/6/10
This is such a GREAT story!!! Justin is my neighbor and I am so PROUD OF HIM!! as well as everybody else!! This story also makes me proud to be a state farm employee, hearing of what Celeste did as well. I will pray for the driver as i know this is a hard time for her and her family! Thank God for brave people and gods will to keep her alive.

Ashley Kuprion

By: atotix on 2/6/10
Please keep Alisha Nance in your prayers, she is at Vanderbilt in a coma. And again, thank you all who were involved in getting her out of the river and her car. She is alive because of your quick reaction.

By: that_girl1994 on 2/6/10
Yes Alisha you are in my prayers. I go to school with her and know her and i had so many ppl textin me and tellin me what happend. i live down the street from the accident and me and my sister saw all the police and rescue squad going down there and me and her ran out the house cuz i had just gotten that text. this was a very scary thing i hope she will be ok. Get better girl

By: klasychik on 2/6/10
I would just like to thank all of the heroes in this situation. I know the family is so appreciative. I also want to thank Officer Fitzgerald for his outstanding heroic work at saving Alisha. I saw him at the prayer vigil for her tonight at Riverdale and many of us wanted to personally thank you Officer Fitzgerald but you left early! You are an amazing person and a true hero in our eyes. I know you are struggling with this because you wanted to get her out sooner but could not. All involved personify the community spirit that Murfreesboro has so much of. Thanks so much for your service, it does not go unnoticed.

By: brittany on 2/6/10
I am very thankful Alisha is alive. As soon as we pulled up i jumped out of the car looking for something to break the window with while my boyfriend jumped in the water to help the others rescue this girl. Some of us felt helpless because all we could do is keep the car from floating down the river so everyone put in a hand to help and did what we could. And thank all of those who helped.All we could do was wait for the rescue team to arrive. As everyone waited, we put our heads together and got rope and backed up the truck to keep it from moving as my boyfriend hooked the strap to the door frame. It was heartbreaking only seeing the top of the car.As soon as the state trooper showed up he asked what happened and how many people were in the car. i told him the incident and said only one was in the car . He asked were they elderly i said no ! Only because i saw a pink initials on the back of her rear windshield ( A L N ). thats all i could keep looking at. Please keep her in your prayers. I thank everyone who helped and i am very thankful she is here with us today. This was a very scary thing to see. This was a miracle!!!!!! I Brittany Allison and Aj Reaux saw everything that happened and if anyone has any info on how she is doing please let us know. Our prayers are with her.

By: klasychik on 2/7/10
Brittany, what a brave thing you and your friends did. You are truly heroes and the reason she is alive today. Your selfless act of being good samaritans helped her and her rescue team from more work trying to get her out. You all should be so proud. Her mother, Angela Sterry is on fb and is accepting friend invites. She updates Alisha's status as it changes. Officer Brooks also has the updated info at anytime. You can call him or text him. I am Erik W's mom and I am trying to keep everyone updated as well. Once again, you and your friends are heroes for helping and not even thinking about the consequences and safety for yourselves.

By: JM325 on 2/7/10
I worry that the "seat-belted" teen part of the first line will send the wrong message. The very brave rescuers couldn't get the doors open or break the windows -- it was not the fault of the seat belts. She was not "trapped" by the seat belts. Thank you to those who helped keep the car from sinking completely. It's such a sad situation.
In most cases, wearing seat belts lessens the impact and keeps the driver from hitting the steering wheel or windshield with much more force.

By: tubefixer on 2/7/10
Tubefixer
Again,Our great American people come together
in a moment to help an unknown person. Thanks
to my Son AJ, his girlfriend Brittany and several others for the heroic actions they did for Alisha.
Godspeed and wish the best for Alisha and for
her family.

By: calleys on 2/8/10
Praise God she is okay. My daughter is a friend of hers and has been so worried. God Bless everyone who was involved in her rescue and thank God she is still with us. Our prayers are with you.

By: mikewest on 2/9/10
mhm2a http://www.murfreesboropost.com/riverdale-student-opens-eyes-after-near-drowning-cms-21835

By: kennethlorin on 2/9/10
The article said

Paramedics rushed Alisha Nance,
17, a Riverdale High School student to Middle Tennessee Medical Center where she was later transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
----
Troopers have not yet released her name.
-----------------------------
I thought the "non-release" of her name was strange. I guess the article was updated and the writer forgot to edit the article.

But I do wish Alisha the very best of care and a full recovery. God bless.