Trevor Bogert’s life was forever altered in a tragic crash that claimed the lives of three of his friends.
In February 2023, a drunk-driving accident in Lincoln County, Missouri, left Trevor with severe, life-changing injuries, while also taking the lives of William Flickinger, 18, Emily McNees, 17, and Kaeden Tyler, 15.
Although Trevor survived, the road to recovery has been long, painful, and filled with physical and emotional hurdles.
A Survivor’s Battle
Trevor endured an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering.
After the crash, he spent over two months in the hospital and seven months in a wheelchair, undergoing 11 surgeries and numerous blood transfusions.
His grandfather shared that Trevor continues to battle through both physical limitations and mental anguish, as he relives the tragedy every day.
Despite countless medical procedures, Trevor has yet to regain use of his left arm and walks with a limp due to injuries sustained in the crash.
The Community’s Outrage
The crash occurred when the driver, Hailey Zenk, was speeding at 81mph in a 35mph zone.
She lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree, killing three passengers.
Zenk, who was 17 at the time, was found to have drugs and alcohol in her system.
The community was enraged by her lenient sentence.
Zenk was allowed to enter an Alford Plea, acknowledging there was enough evidence for a conviction without admitting guilt.
Though facing multiple charges, she was sentenced to just 120 days in jail and released on probation, sparking widespread outrage among the victims’ families and the local community.
Legal Setbacks and New Developments
Since her release, Zenk has faced new legal issues.
Recently, she was brought back to court after allegedly tampering with her alcohol monitor twice while on probation.
Despite these violations, she was allowed to remain free on a $20,000 cash-only bond, and she will return to court in February.
If the judge finds merit in the tampering allegations, her probation could be revoked, and she could face prison time.
Trevor’s family, along with other loved ones of the victims, continue to struggle with the lack of justice.
Douglas Meyer, Kaeden Tyler’s stepfather, expressed his frustration with Zenk’s behavior, saying that every update on her situation feels like a fresh wound.
He hopes that the legal system will correct its course and impose a harsher punishment for Zenk’s actions.
A Continued Fight for Justice
As Zenk faces further legal challenges, the families of the victims, including Trevor, remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice.
Zenk’s lenient sentence and subsequent violations have highlighted the flaws in the legal system, leaving the families of those lost and injured in this crash searching for closure.
As the legal process unfolds, all eyes are on the court’s next move, with many hoping for accountability and a fair outcome.