College Student Has Broken Bones, Internal Injuries After Canton Crash, Family

CANTON, CT — A local 19-year-old woman was badly injured in a violent crash on Route 44 in Canton Sunday night, with a GoFundMe page set up to help the family during her recovery.

According to the Canton police and fire departments, part of Albany Turnpike (Route 44) was closed for several hours Sunday night into Monday for what was described as a "serious accident."

The road was closed between Cherrybrook Road and Canton's border with New Hartford from about 8 p.m. to nearly 12:30 a.m. Monday, police said via social media.

GoFundMe Tuesday afternoon issued a statement regarding one of the crash victims who was badly hurt.

According to GoFundMe, the crash severely injured 19-year-old Mekayla Masse, a college freshman and an employee of American Flatbread in Canton.

Her aunt, Hilary Wilson of Hartland, set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of $15,000 raised and, so far, it has raised $26,600 as of midday Wednesday.

According to Wilson, Masse was in a head-on collision that resulted in significant injuries that had her in critical condition at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.

Wilson, a firefighter in the West Hartland Volunteer Fire Department, told Patch Tuesday night that the family is grateful for all the well wishers praying for her niece's recovery.

"We are so thankful for all of the support and prayers being sent her way, and that she is a fighter, and continues to defy the odds," wrote Wilson in an email to Patch.

Post-crash photos showed the extent of the accident, as the badly damaged vehicles involved are barely recognizable. The extend of injuries on the other motorist was still unknown.

Maase was on her way home from work, Wilson said regarding her niece.

"Her injuries are extensive," wrote Wilson. "She had severe internal bleeding caused by damage done to her liver and spleen, and her spleen had to be removed.

"She also continues to bleed internally. She received broken bones and traumatic injuries to her left arm, tibia and fibula, pelvis and both of her knees from impact during the crash."

In an update posted Tuesday on the GoFundMe page, Wilson said Masse was able to write a note to her mother, but she faces several surgeries to address the broken bones and internal injuries.

Wilson, whose husband is also a volunteer firefighter in West Hartland, told Patch the heroics of the responders in Canton are why she has a chance of recovering.

"In our combined 40 plus years, neither of us (or the other responders) have seen a wreck so bad, where the occupant was able to pull through and we could not be more thankful," wrote Wilson.

"When we have Mekayla ('MJ') home, we are hoping to be able to introduce her to the members of our extended fire department/EMS family who were there and saved her life, as they have all been so worried and pulling for her."

Masse's mother, Jonna Wilson, said early Wednesday morning via GoFundMe that her daughter was out of, yet, another surgery to address liver damage.

She said her daughter woke up in intensive care and was, even, writing messages on a dry erase board.

"By the grace of God, Mekayla has not suffered any brain or spine injuries. Her breaks are extremely complicated which they will hopefully start to repair tomorrow pending she remains stabile overnight," wrote Jonna Wilson.

"It will be an incredibly long road, but with faith, continued prayers and our love and support, Mekayla will walk again and with her age and tenacity we are hopeful that she will fully recover."

Meanwhile, Masse's place of employment publicly offered her well-wishes and urged support for the GoFundMe page.

"Last night, one of the members of our American Flatbread family was hit head-on and she is currently in critical condition," wrote the eatery via its Facebook page Monday. "At this time, we're asking for continued thoughts and prayers for her and her family."

Canton police said Wednesday the investigation into what happened continues.

Canton Police Capt. Andrew Schiffer said he could not release any information about the crash victims.

He said responding agencies included Canton police, the Canton Volunteer Fire Department, Canton EMS, New Hartford Fire Department, New Hartford EMS and the North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Squad (NCMARS).

Schiffer said the cars were a Subaru wagon and a Toyota Camry.

He said CPD Officer Matthew Catania is the lead investigator of the crash.

"NCMARS will be helping with certain technical aspects such as forensic mapping and other crash specific data analysis to resolve some questions that remain about the cause and sequence of the crash," wrote Schiffer to Patch.

"It may take some time to complete the final reporting with resolution to the questions that are being investigated."

For the GoFundMe page set up for Mekayla Masse, click on this link.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.