By Sarah Smith
ssmith@parkrapidsenterprise.com
A Park Rapids woman left to die in a field last summer greeted hundreds of well-wishers at a benefit Saturday night.
Bobbie Gully, 20, was critically injured when the pickup she was riding in last August rolled several times at 100 mph and spilled the occupants out onto a field off Hubbard County Road 48 northwest of town.
The frightened occupants of the other vehicle fled the scene after the crash.
Gully spent months in a Robbinsdale hospital recovering. The 2013 Park Rapids AHS graduate is still getting medical attention for her injuries, but was able to stand and greet friends and supporters at her huge benefit.
Wearing T-shirts saying “Inhale the future; Exhale the past,” supporters held a silent auction and dinner to help defray Gully’s medical bills.
Lines of people stood at the Park Rapids American Legion for a table and food. More waited in line to hug Gully, who is considered a miracle.
She posted this message on her Caring Bridge page over the weekend:
“Where to begin! Goodness the benefit was a success! I am still surprised how many people came to support my family and I. Thank you everyone! Including my supportive community, family, friends, also strangers. I never thought something like this would happen to me. I still appreciate everything. Especially this second life…
“Also the many doctors that spent multiple hours and hours to keep me alive and put me back together. This new life of mine will never forget any of this…”
The driver of the pickup she was riding in, Mitchell Dirks, will be sentenced March 2 for Criminal Vehicular Conduct and DWI. He likely will spend 60 days in jail.
The other driver, Lee Branstrom, is still in the court system.
