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Gwinnett wrong-way crash survivor faces long road to recovery

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A woman who survived a wrong-way crash that broke all four of her limbs is now out of the hospital.

Gwinnett County police said Brittany Dutka, 18, hit Paula Holden in early September near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Commerce Parkway.

Investigators charged the teen with drunk driving.

Holden, a mother of a college student, spent 47 days in the hospital.

"I remember everything. In fact, I see it when I go to sleep sometimes and wake up crying," she said.

At the time of the wreck, Holden was looking for a job and uninsured.  She told Channel  2's Erica Byfield she now owes a little more than $700,000 in medical bills.

"I have a lot of faith in God and I know he has a plan for me and things will work out the way they are supposed to," she said.

Byfield spoke to Holden in her parents’ home.  Her father and stepmother converted their home office in a hospital room to better care for Holden.

Nearly three months after the accident, Holden can barely move her arms and her right leg is now held together with pins. Her right leg is also a few inches shorter than her left.

Holden gave Byfield a message for Dutka.

"I just hopes she learns and maybe she goes on to explain to her friends and anyone she knows not to drink and drive. There are so many different options out there," she said.

Holden added she's extremely thankful for her family and the support of people who reached out to her who she doesn't even know.

"Everyone has just come together for me. Sometimes I feel like, I'm a burden, but I know they wouldn't do it if they didn't love me," she said.

Supporters are trying to collect donations to assist Holden with medical expenses. Click here for more information.  

http://bcove.me/icl62coe