SOUTH PARK, Pa. — A McGuffey kindergarten teacher is walking again after surviving a terrifying accident after her son’s soccer game in South Park.
Dezzarea Hartman, a mom of three, was leaving Evans Field on Sunday when a tree toppled over, bringing down a utility pole — both coming down on top of her.
Hartman was holding her 3-year-old daughter at the time. Her 10-year-old was just a few steps ahead. Miraculously, her youngest daughter wasn’t hurt.
Hartman’s best friend, Megan, told Channel 11 the impact broke Dezzarea’s spine in three places.
“It fell on her head, her upper back, and then landed on her — that’s what resulted in her getting the 20 screws and the rod,” Megan said.
Just days later, Dezzarea is already moving her fingers and toes — and has walked down the hospital hallway.
“She’s just praising the Lord for a second chance,” Megan said.
Family members say Dezzarea is eager to get back to her kindergarten classroom and share her story of faith and resilience with her students.
Witnesses tell Channel 11 the situation could have been even worse — because the fallen pole brought down live electrical wires, preventing anyone nearby from reaching her until the power was shut off and first responders arrived.
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