Teens remain hospitalized following wreck

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Jerry Dees and Heather Martin of Glenallen are stable but still in critical condition.

The Woodland students survived a traffic accident Wednesday that killed Dees' sisters, Jessica Dees and Jennifer Lincoln.

Jerry Dees, 13, may undergo surgery on his left leg Monday at St. Louis Children's Hospital, said his uncle, Doug Lindley of Glenallen. Jerry also suffered injuries to his left cheekbone, a finger on his left hand, and has several broken vertebrae in his back. He is heavily sedated, but is conscious. None of his injuries has left him paralyzed.

"He still has feeling," Lindley said.

Heather Martin is recovering at St. Francis Medical Center, said her mother, Cindy Martin.

"She got off all the tubes and stuff, and is doing better than she was," Cindy Martin said.

Heather, 13, broke both legs, her wrist is crushed and her nose is broken. She has broken vertebrae in her back and a gash near an eye. She is in a lot of pain, her mother said, but she is conscious.

Her mother said Heather was told about Jerry Dees and the two girls who were killed, but she isn't sure Heather remembers being told.

"She hasn't mentioned anything about them, so we don't know," she said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday on Highway 34.

The funeral for Jessica Dees and Jennifer Lincoln will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church at Marble Hill, in the family center behind the church. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. that day.

A fund has been established to help cover medical and funeral expenses for the Dees family. The Dees/Lincoln Benefit Fund for Jennifer and Jessica is at the Bank of Missouri at Marble Hill.

Pamela Lindley, the children's aunt, said that a gospel and bluegrass concert to benefit the families will be held at 7 p.m. May 7 at the First Baptist Church of Marble Hill in the family center. So far three groups have committed to performing; more are expected.