Family Raises Money For Tinley Park Grad Injured In Car Crash

TINLEY PARK, IL — The family of a Tinley Park High School graduate is raising money for medical bills after the now college senior was seriously injured in a car crash last month.

According to an online fundraiser, Diana Ibarra will need extensive facial reconstructive surgery and jaw repair as a result of the crash. A family member told Patch the young woman's injuries are so severe she will need to withdraw from her final semester at the University of Illinois until she can recover.

"With these many unknowns ahead, we want her medical bills, vehicle replacement and missed tuition to be the last things on her mind," said Madelynn Graham, Ibarra's cousin. "She is a promising young woman on the precipice of the rest of her life who deserves the least amount of disruption from this catastrophic event."

As of Wednesday the campaign had raised over $15,000, surpassing the family's original goal. As doctors learn more about Ibarra's injuries, however, Graham said they are discovering new costs and issues which can only be solved by procedures not covered by health insurance.

The GoFundMe goal is now $25,000 to aid in medical bills, tuition and helping Diana return to normalcy once she can leave the hospital, family said.

"When things fall apart we come together," wrote Graham in a description for the fundraiser. "We love you Diana."

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