Fund established for injured Durham woman

Durham, N.C. — Close friends of a Durham woman who was left in critical condition after a Michigan car wreck have set up a fund to pay her medical bills.

Jonel Hoogterp, 26, was in a medically-induced coma at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Mich. on Thursday.

Hoogterp was among three people injured Saturday when police say 28-year-old Dustan Lyle Bowen of Sanford, Mich. drove into a crowd of people walking along the side of a road in St. Ignace, Mich.

The crash killed Hoogterp’s partner, 31-year-old Julie Hatch of Durham, and 24-year-old Sara Dobbrastine of Kent City, Mich.

Friends said the two were hit while attending a gathering for Hoogterp’s family reunion. Friends said Dobbrastine was engaged to one of Hoogterp's relatives.

“They absolutely loved each other, but they loved everybody else,” said friend Anne Watson. “These two young ladies were full of life."

Friends said Hatch and Hoogterp were deeply committed to each other.

“They were partners, lifelong partners. They’ve been together three years,” friend Tane Addington said. “They brought a lot of love with their friendships with their friends."

Friends set up a fund for Hoogterp's medical bills because she does not have insurance. Donations may be sent to:

Anne Watson c/o The Jonel Fund
Suntrust Mortgage
3100 Tower Blvd., Suite 1600
Durham, N.C. 27707

Checks should be made out to "The Jonel Fund."

At Sunset Grille in Durham where Hoogterp worked, close friends of both women said they are leaning on each other for comfort and hope.

Megan Mosley shares bar-tending duties with Hoogterp. She said she misses her friend and confidant.

“Jonel and I have worked together every Sunday for three years,” Mosley said.

Hoogterp was also a volunteer EMT with the Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department for the past two years. EMT Division Chief Kathy Bobseine said the department is grieving for Hoogterp's injuries and hoping for the best.

Bowen faces charges, including second-degree murder and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He was jailed on a $1 million bond.

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Latest Comments

JAT "I truly doubt she was on skid row and living on the streets. If she was, she'd qualify for Welfare...."

Actually, no, she would not. There is no "welfare" for childless people unless they are elderly or disabled. Your assumptions about this are as faulty as those about her being able to buy insurance at a price she could afford. For all you know, she could have one of the pre-existing conditions that made her uninsurable or the price of any coverage out of reach.

I have to wonder if her partner had insurance and could have covered her if not for the anti-gay laws and sentiments we see altogether too much of.

In addition, in case it's escaped your notice, not everyone is qualified for the types of jobs that provide insurance. And those jobs are getting scarcer by the day.

My sincere sympathies to the families who've lost all three of these young women.

TallWillow
July 31, 2009 6:29 p.m.

May the funds go where they are supposed to go. I wish the young lady well.

Professor
July 31, 2009 4:46 p.m.

This sweet girl that everyone thought so highly of will likely lose her life. I hardly think its appropriate for someone to use this event as a forum to pat themselves on the back for buying insurance. My deepest sympathy to her family.

shortcake53
July 31, 2009 4:40 p.m.

I agree, fay, but saying that people who knew each other for only 3 years were soulmates is just a bit too much for me. Death always makes people better, stronger, nicer, etc. People only remember the nice things, which is OK, but often exaggerate a bit.

JAT
July 31, 2009 4:32 p.m.

"The only thing negative I'll say about their "situation" is that I found it amusing that a friend of their's said they were "lifelong soulmates" but only knew each other 3 years. You usually say "lifelong soulmates" when the people have been together for 60 years and still love each other madly."

Perhaps they were just looking forward to a future together.

Saying that these 2 were lifelong soulmates is, to my mind, no worse than making a promise to God to remain married forever ("in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, till death do us part") even though 50% of couples end up breaking that promise.

fayofbundy
July 31, 2009 4:26 p.m.