OMRO, Wis. (NBC26) -- A positive development after an unthinkable tragedy.
"Today, we received some good news about Drake and Kyley," School District of Omro superintendent Jay Jones said.
On Tuesday night, Domynick and Danycka Milis of Omro were killed in a car crash while vacationing in Florida. The family says two survivors, Drake Milis and Kyley Larsen -- who sustained serious injuries -- are on the road to recovery. Drake left a hospital in Orlando, Fla., today on his 14th birthday.
"Everybody's getting a little bit better," close family friend Art Eichmann said. "There's some level of development that's taking place. Earlier today, Drake was released from the hospital... which is great news."
The family says 17-year-old Kyley sustained injuries including cracked ribs and a fractured vertebrae. They also say she will have to wear a brace for 12 weeks.
"As far as Kyley and Drake, [I] hope they recover physically as quick as possible," Eichmann said. "They're gonna have a hard road to hoe with the physical part of it but then the mental part of it will be very difficult for them."
But today, the family says she successfully received what they hope is Kyley's last surgery in Orlando.
"Kyley... hearing positive things come from that area too is outstanding," Eichmann said. "She's got a long way to go, but it's good to hear and great to hear that there's some things moving in the right direction."
The family says they hope Kyley will be discharged from the hospital at some point next week. Members of the community say they hope to have the families return to Omro soon.
"Obviously, we've lost two young lives and it'll never ever be the same," Eichmann said. "And you hope for the Milis family and everyone that was close to them and the kids and stuff that they can heal as fast as possible."
And though the family says they do not when they'll be back in Omro, today's development was a bit of sunshine after a terrible rain.
"It means a lot that they've been either discharged or going to be discharged," Jones said. "It's something that's going to be important for the rest of our kids to learn about and look forward to seeing them again when they can."
If you would like to support Larsen or the Milis family, GoFundMe accounts have been set up.
Statements from family members
- Tina Milis, mother: I have known I needed to do this post but it really has taken me all day to come out of this fog that is clouding my head. I can’t make sense of this or wrap my head around the last 20 hours. Domynick and Danycka were the best of friends and I am thankful they had each other on their journey to heaven. I know they had so many waiting at the gates to welcome them home. Domynick and Danycka were both organ donors so someone will be able to see this beautiful world through their eyes, hear their heart beat a bit stronger with new valves and walk a little taller with new veins. Drake is still recovering at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando. We are at his bedside and trying to help him make sense of this too. He has a broken right clavicle with lots of bruising which is giving him great pain. He also has fractured ribs and bruised lungs but breathing much more comfortably now. The biggest thing we are watching with him is a laceration to his left kidney which is still bleeding. He is alert and getting ready to watch the boys basketball game as I type. The outpouring of love and support from all our friends is completely overwhelming!! I simply couldn’t respond to all the messages coming through because it would be impossible. Please continue to pray for all of us as we have no idea how we will go through life without 2 of the most amazing, caring, selfless human beings that I will forever be able to call my son and daughter. We love you all and please keep showering us with your prayers.
- Victoria Larsen, cousin: This whole situation as given all of us a different perspective on life and that we cannot take anything for granted. It is extremely hard to process and there are no words to help us understand it. Kyley’s parents went through tons of stress to get by her side and once there have not left. There are so many ups and downs by the hour they are trying their best to stay positive. Due to her injury the doctors due not want her to cry so that has made everything even harder.
