Trooper Starlena Wilson faces more rehab and surgeries, and she has a message for people who use their phones while they are behind the wheel.
Trooper Wilson knew her job could be dangerous. What she feared were guns or fights. She never anticipated a cell phone may be such a danger.
Each day there is progress. Friday, Trooper Starlena Wilson celebrated being able to use crutches unsupervised.
"I'm not dead. I'm not paralyzed. I'm back. I guess I'm me again, and I just thank God, and I thank Him everyday," said Wilson.
If she keeps at it, she is expected to walk again on her own, despite the incident that left her with a crushed pelvis and both legs broken. With the support of family, friends and her state police family, she keeps moving forward. Everyday a trooper is with her.
"They were there in their plainclothes as soon as I got out of the ambulance. It just goes to show they really care for me, and they're really concerned," Wilson said.
On February 27, state troopers responded to a fellow trooper in trouble. Trooper Wilson had pulled over a woman for not wearing a seatbelt on the Dan Ryan. As she tried to protect that motorist's safe passage, another motorist struck Trooper Wilson.
"I dream of the crash ... What if was in a different position. I could have been paralyzed," said Wilson.
Kimisha Moore was charged with aggravated reckless conduct. Moore was allegedly distracted by her cell phone when she hit Trooper Wilson.
Trooper Wilson didn't want to discuss details about the case as Moore's case is still pending. But Trooper Wilson urges motorist to take their responsibility seriously.
"The text or the phone call is not that important if it's distracting you from keeping your eyes on the road," Wilson said. "They end up being a victim themselves, because losing their freedom over something like a phone call and crashing into someone."
Trooper Wilson hopes to be walking in a month.
She expects more surgeries and rehab before she is truly back to herself and being independent. She is eager to go home to her daughter as she has been in either the hospital or rehab for nine weeks.
Wilson wants to go back to work, but says she may not be ready to go back on the road right away.
