Miss South Dakota 2013 and 2014 pageant contestant, Maria Anderson, is in critical condition after being hit by a car early Sunday morning (14 Aug 2016) in South Padre Island, Texas.
Also Read : Miss Universe Jamaica 2016 finalists cool photoshoot with Lasco ICool
A silver pickup truck hit Anderson, 21, and her boyfriend, Tyler Sheets, 23, when they were walking along the street of South Padre Island Dr. around 1:30 a.m. near a Sonic, says the cop. Corpus Christi Cop also informed that Anderson has broken ribs and a brain injury from the incident while the accident also left her boyfriend with cuts and bruises.
Maria Anderson former beauty queen
The former beauty queen’s family and relatives are asking for prayers. Anderson, who hails from Sioux Falls, is a senior psychology student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Anderson and her boyfriend were immediately taken to the hospital after the accident. Tyler Sheets was released from the hospital on Monday while Anderson remains in the hospital under critical condition. She went through a couple of surgeries on the same day of the accident to relieve pressure in her skull from internal bleeding.
Also Read : Miss Diva 2016 Grooming Session
Anderson and Sheets’ families were there in the hospital with them.
“I would just ask people to keep her in their thoughts and prayers,” Sheets said through text message. “Keep sending her love, she needs all the help she can get. I’m so taken aback by the amount of love I have seen from everyone and can’t thank you guys enough.” – Tyler Sheets
According to the sources, Corpus Christi Police are still in search for the hit-and-run suspect. Police have pictures and a lead on the vehicle. The truck has noteworthy features such as side steps and a trailer hitch, but no solid proof such as make or model were given by police.
The Miss South Dakota Organization posted on Facebook which reads - "Please keep former Miss South Dakota Contestant Maria Anderson in your thoughts and prayers. She is a joyful and kind hearted person who lights up any room she walks in to. Your Miss SD Family is thinking of you and your family during this difficult time."
Wherein Anderson’s cousin, Morgan Kneip, set up a GoFundMe page “Maria’s Medical Expenses” to help with medical expenses. The GoFundMe had raised more than $12,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
“Besides, any donations, we are asking for prayers,” Kneip wrote. “Prayers of strength and healing for Maria and Tyler, prayers of wisdom for their Doctors and prayers of comfort for our families as we lean on each other through this difficult time.”
Maria Anderson competed at the Miss South Dakota competition in 2013 and 2014, but failed to secure any position.
Also Read : Silka Kurzak crowned as Miss Supranational Australia 2016