ONLY ON 3: Community comes together to help paralyzed crash victim

SUPPLY, NC (WWAY) — The first thing you notice about Selena Utter is her smile. A smile that shows strength inspired by a community that has come together to support her and her family in their time of need.

“Anything can happen at any time,” Selena Utter said, talking about the car crash that changed her life forever.

It happened off of Holden Beach Rd. in Supply this September. Selena was hanging out with friends when, “Next thing you know, boom it happened,” she said.

The truck they were in went off the road. One of her friends died and 7 others were injured including Selena. The crash left her paralyzed from the waist down.

“It's hard at first,” she said. “It's still hard dealing with everything.”

Lucky for Selena, she happened to have a friend like Megan Henson.

“I just knew that I wanted to do everything that I could especially with us being so close,” said Henson.

So she started collecting pop tops, the little tabs from a soda can, enough to hopefully get Selena a new wheelchair.

“I've known ever since I was little,” Henson said. “The only thing I ever wanted to do was to help people.”

The idea got so popular she plans to start collecting medical supplies for other folks who need them. It's catching on online and on social media too.

“I don't view it as doing something extraordinary; I view it as doing something that’s good,” said Henson.

For Selena's parents it's both extraordinary and good.

“You don't know which is more overwhelming how everyone is pitching in or the accident itself,” said Selena’s dad Frank Utter.

It's all overwhelming these days, especially for Selena. Through all that happened though, she is still smiling. In part because of a friendship that happened too.

“She cares, people care, it is an awesome feeling,” Selena said.

The Elks Lodge in Calabash will be holding a spaghetti dinner in Selena's honor Thursday night. 

To Donate:

Soda Tabs for Wheelchairs: http://www.facebook.com/sodatabsforwheelchairs

Selena and her family:    http://www.gofundme.com/gz4t7w