Teacher hospitalized after wreck 2 weeks before wedding

HOUSTON -- A popular Katy ISD teacher remains hospitalized after a violent car crash that happened just two weeks before her wedding.

Leslie Horne suffered a serious head injury when her car collided with a pick-up truck pulling a horse trailer on January 30. The accident happened at the intersection of FM 2920 and Hegar Road in the Hockley area. Her fiance anxiously awaits her recovery.

"She has the most amazing eyes. That was the first thing I noticed," Ronnie Hessel told Eyewitness News about the first time he met Horne. It was at a bowling alley and he was hooked.

"I knew the moment I saw her that was the girl for me," Hessel said.

Their first date was Valentine's Day, 2012. February 13, 2015 was their next big date-their wedding date. Everything -- the dress, cake, venue -- was ready. The question now is whether Horne will be ready.

"It just breaks my heart. I want to do everything to I can to take her pain away," said Hessel.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Horne didn't yield to traffic as she turned onto FM 2920. Nancy Garza who lives nearby the intersection, says it happens all the time.

"There are times we can see three times a month an accident. It's very dangerous," Garza said.

Traffic on FM 2920 has a blinking yellow light. Hegar Road has a blinking red light. The Sheriff's Office says Horne did stop but then made the turn, hitting the truck. Her little Honda was crushed. A LifeFlight helicopter was called to rush her to the hospital. The other driver wasn't hurt, but the couple's big plans were.

"She still doesn't realize her hair has been shaved, she's been in an accident, that she can't walk," Hessel said.

The couple was hoping to keep their February 13 wedding date, but late Thursday, doctors told them Horne would need more time. Her face is now partially paralyzed. Doctors expect a full recovery, but only after extensive rehabilitation.

Horne is a chemistry teacher at Tompkins High School in Katy ISD. She is also a graduate of Texas A&M. Horne's students have sent her well-wishes.

Hessel vows to be there for her recovery every step of the way, and when asked about whether his love for her has changed, he replied, "Not for me. I hope the knot in the head doesn't make her re-think."

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the couple pay for medical bills. Click here for more information: http://www.gofundme.com/HelpLeslieH