RAPID CITY, SD — April 9th of 2024 may have been a normal day for most, but for then 20-year-old Jayden Quinn, it marked a sudden change to her life, however after a long recovery the now 22-year-old arrived to the Rapid City Fire Department’s Station One to thank police and fire services for saving her life.
The accident began and ended with an SUV driven by one Zach Vermulen, who was with driving the vehicle at an estimated 117 miles per hour with passengers, Quinn and Andrew Smith. After losing control of the vehicle, it collided with an apartment building and hit a gas line, putting it “Near Explosive Limits,” according to the RCFD. Vermulen and Smith did not survive the collision, however first responders found Quinn amid the wreckage, who was quickly air lifted to a hospital in Denver in order to treat life-threatening injuries. “I got I got down to Denver hours later, after she was like flighted and walked into the most terrific scene I think I’ve ever thought I was ever gonna encounter,” said Tami Quinn, Jayden’s Mother.
The sun was intense during the address to RCPD and RCFD representatives, but emotions more so as Jayden was brought to tears thanking the people who had saved her life, hugs were shared and words of encouragement came with them from both sides, each side of the accident happy the others were alive.
Recovery for the first few months according to Tami was difficult, however Jayden made progress remarkably quickly, and in speaking to the Fire department she described how it had changed her outlook, making her want to help others. Jayden is a PCA at Edgewood assisted living and was described as “wanting to give back,” after coming to understand the struggles that often come with being disabled.
