By TOM MURSE, Staff Writer
A Reamstown-area woman who was seriously injured in an accident Saturday is the mother of four young children. Her husband suffered serious brain injuries in a summer motorcycle crash and is still unable to speak or walk.

The accidents, which took place just seven months and a couple of miles apart, have devastated the young family, but friends and relatives have rushed to their aid and are caring for the children as the couple recuperates in separate facilities.

“It’s unbelievable. We don’t know what to think anymore,” said Darla Leid, a family member. “We don’t know why this has happened.”

Rosie Leid, 30, sustained a shattered hip and fractured pelvis when an SUV collided with her minivan on Hahnstown Road in East Cocalico Township just before noon Saturday morning.

Her 7-month-old son, Elliot, suffered a fractured skull and a broken leg. Two other children in the minivan had minor bumps and bruises, and were treated at Ephrata Community Hospital and released.

Rosie Leid is recovering at Lancaster General Hospital, where she is expected to remain for a short time until being transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Her injuries, however, have left her unable to visit her husband, Eugene, who is recovering at a York rehabilitation center.

The 30-year-old general contractor, who owns a small construction business, is still recovering from a July 2 collision on Greenville Road in West Cocalico Township. A car turned into his lane of travel and struck his motorcycle head-on. Eugene Leid had to be revived by rescue crews at the scene, relatives said.

His recovery has been slow.

“He is not able to speak. He can look around and sometimes squeeze your hand,” said Darla Leid.

Eugene Leid was expected to leave the rehab center and return to the family’s home on the 300 block of East Church St., south of Reamstown, but the crash that injured his wife has changed their plans.

“She is not able to care for him, so he will continue to stay in the facility,” Darla Leid said.

The Leids, who began dating after they met at the Green Dragon market in Ephrata, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in September. Their four children range in ages from seven months to 8 years.

The youngest, Elliot, was born after his father’s motorcycle accident. Their other children are Haley, 4; Merle, 6; and Hannah, 8.

Rosie Leid has spent a good portion of her time on the road in recent months traveling to visit her husband.

“She was going every other day, sometimes every day,” said Darla Leid, who lives in Mohnton.

Rosie Leid was driving to a family gathering Saturday morning when she was injured in the crash. In the minivan with her were Elliot, Hannah and 6-year-old niece Cheyanne.

An emergency responder told a newspaper reporter that an SUV struck the driver’s side of Rosie Leid’s minivan in the 400 block of Hahnstown Road.

Reamstown and Denver firefighters cut the roof off the minivan to get her out. The roadway was closed for hours as the two vehicles were towed and police investigated the crash.

Elliot was expected to be released from the hospital Monday; doctors said his skull fracture and broken leg will heal on their own. For the time being, the Leid children are living with and being cared for by friends of the family.

Rosie Leid will not be able to walk for at least 12 weeks, and is in a lot of pain, Darla Leid said.

“She’s very strong. She’s really trusting God. We don’t know why this has happened,” she said. “They do want whatever comes of this to glorify God, and for his name to be lifted up.”

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Contributions to the Leid family are being accepted by Light of Hope Ministries, Attn: Eugene Leid family fund; P.O. Box 567, Ephrata, PA 17522. Questions can be addressed to Darla and Lester Leid at lesterleidconstruction@yahoo.com.

tmurse@lnpnews.com