Oliver on the mend, and could be home from Iowa hospital on Saturday

Denice Oliver, who suffered compound fractures in both legs in a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 29 in Iowa a week ago, could possibly be released from Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City on Saturday for a return trip to her home in Crookston.
   

That's the word today from her husband, Scott Oliver, who said he's getting their apartment ready for Denice's return. In order to be closer to each other, Scott, who'd coached hockey for the past few years in Roseau, accepted the high school football coaching position in East Grand Forks, and he has his first game tonight in Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton.
   

"She's going to have a long road to recovery in front of her, but she's already on that road right now," he said via phone this morning. "She's in good spirits and appreciates the support from everyone back here. She'll be back on the job probably sooner than everyone thinks."
   

Denice is the principal at Washington School, and also runs Community Education and Early Childhood Family Education. She's on leave during her recovery.
  

Denice and her son, Nick, were traveling to Nebraska late in the afternoon on Friday, Aug. 27 to attend the wedding of Sarah Ingeman, daughter of Jim and Lori Ingeman of Crookston. According to the Monona, Iowa County Sheriff's Office accident report, Denice was driving a 2010 Toyota Camry southbound in a construction zone on I-29 that had been reduced to two-lane, two-way traffic. The car had been purchased the week before.
   

According to the report, Cash Bratetic, 18, of South Sioux City, was northbound in a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu when his vehicle crossed the center lane, resulting in  "almost a  head-on collision" with Oliver's vehicle. Both vehicles ended up in the median, and emergency responders had to use the jaws of life to get the Olivers and Bratetic out of their vehicles, which were both totaled. According to the report, Bratetic also suffered multiple, compound fractures in both legs. He was cited for failure to yield half the roadway.
   

Both Olivers were transported by Mercy Air Ambulance to Mercy Medical Center. Bratetic was transported by ground ambulance. The report indicates that there was concern about Nick suffering a possible hip injury and slight head trauma, but he was released from the hospital on Sunday and is back in Fargo. He plays hockey for the USHL's Fargo Force and in 2011 will play for the St. Cloud Huskies.
   

"Nick is just fine," Scott said.
   

As for Denice, Scott said she won't be able to put any weight on her legs for the next six weeks. At that point, she should be able to put weight on one leg for another six weeks or so.
   

"Basically, she's looking at a 12-week period of recovery before she can even start to bear weight on both legs again," he explained.
   

Denice is expected to make a full recovery.
   

"She's been very strong through this whole thing, as always; she will work through this and we will work through this together," Scott said. "It's very unfortunate, but if there's a silver lining, it's the use of seat belts and air bags deploying. We're also very fortunate to have a community that cares so much about her."