Law enforcement steps up to help after deputy’s daughter seriously hurt in crash

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a 16-year-old girl is waiting to learn if she needs a second brain surgery after another driver rear-ended her.

Alexis McDonald’s family says at first, things didn’t seem that bad after the crash along Atlanta Highway and Charles Hardy Parkway. Then the pain kicked in.

McDonald’s dad is a Paulding County deputy and says the mounting medical bills could cost them their home. The law enforcement community in Paulding County is stepping up in a huge way after they found out about their colleague’s daughter.

“They are really going through some tough times right now,” Paulding County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ashley Henson said.

For the last 3 three months, McDonald has seen too many doctors to count. This week, the 16-year old had brain surgery. On Friday, she will find out if she will need a second one.

“A lot of the deputies have donated their own personal, sick and vacation time so he can be off,” Henson said.

On Oct. 25, Hiram police say a driver rear-ended McDonald at the intersection. Officers cited a 19-year-old for following too close.

McDonald’s father, Sgt. Mike Whitley, was at work when he got the call from his wife.

“It went downhill from there. Not your normal wreck, I guess,” Whitley said.

The pictures don’t look that bad. Everyone walked away from the crash. But suddenly, she started complaining.

“Her head was hurting. She started crying. Started getting back pain. They took her to the ER,” Whitley said.

Life for the South Paulding High School junior is not the same.

Brain swelling and severe neck injuries give her constant pain.

Whitley says he is now working extra jobs and dipping in to his life savings to pay off the mounting medical bills.

The family has created a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses.

Through it all, he and his daughter have an unbreakable bond.

“She wants to get back to normal. That’s all she wants,” Whitley said.

The teen is also suffering some memory loss.

© 2020 Cox Media Group