ST CLAIR, Missouri — For the first time on-camera, a Washington County family is talking about a deadly crash that changed their lives.
Lauren Fleming and her 8-year-old son Elis Wideman lost his brother, Linkin Wideman, and his stepsister, Amelia Biri, in the crash last October.
"You just have such a big dream for your kids. You never expect something so tragic to happen," Fleming said.
"We hit a brick that was on the road, then the car was like squished almost. My dad's head was bleeding," Elis said, recalling his father, Zachary Wideman, was behind the wheel.
Elis survived, and he has used a wheelchair ever since.
"You get up like any other day," Fleming said, recalling Oct. 16, 2023, when everything changed. "You go to work. They're going to school. We're going to see them after dinner. It's going to be fine."
Mother and son have both found comfort in cheering on the nearby semi-pro football team, the Missouri Falcons.
The Missouri Falcons said they were glad to have Elis on the sidelines,
"You're escaping what you've known for the past couple [of] months," said nose guard and defensive end Chris Carter. "If we can bring a smile to his face and let him escape what he's been going through, I'm all for it."
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Elis's perseverance and dedication after his accident can be seen on the football field of Orchard Park in St. Clair. The Falcons now call him their little brother.
"The players ask weekly how he's doing," offensive and defensive coach Nino Accardi said. "'How's he doing?' 'How's he doing?' Me and his mom talk every week. You have older brothers you can lean up against. You're not in this fight alone. We can bring a smile to his face and give him just a little bit more strength every day."
The Falcons' next home game is on Saturday, April 13, at noon at Orchard Park, against their big rival, the Missouri Monarchs. The game is free to attend.
Getting strength from her faith, Fleming said she's comforted knowing Linkin lives on as an organ donor to five other people, including a four-year-old boy who got Linkin's transplanted heart.
"Linkin is still with us no matter what," Fleming said.
Fleming and Elis are tackling life one day at a time.
"Elis has just been our heart and soul," said rookie player Austin Underwood. "He's followed us all the way to Iowa, all the way home, and the first person when we got back to work was our younger brother."
April 12 is National Donate Life Blue and Green Day. People are encouraged to wear blue and green and to engage in sharing the "Donate Life" message and promote the importance of registering as a donor.
If you'd like to register, click here.