•Ruckel Middle School teacher Sarah Carnello is recovering from a severe hit-and-run accident that left her with a broken jaw and other injuries.
•The community has raised over $14,000 to help with her medical expenses as she undergoes surgery and recovery.
•Carnello expresses forgiveness for the driver who hit her and highlights the importance of community support.
The last thing Sarah Carnello remembers after being blasted to the ground by a hit-and-run driver in Bluewater Bay on October 14th was hitting her head on the concrete.
After coming to – she was able to make it home before going to the hospital with severe road rash, a broken and dislocated jaw, and a concussion.
Carnello, an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Ruckel Middle School, coached a local Little League softball team to a third-place finish in the Little League Softball World Series in 2023.
As of this writing, community members have raised more than $14,000 to help Carnello and her family with medical bills and other needs while she is off work to recover from surgery.
If you want to help – head to her GoFundMe, that was started by a friend of the family. According to that site, you can also Venmo Carnello directly to bypass fees. Her account is @sarah-carnello, and her phone number’s last four digits are 2331.
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Despite the intense pain and need to recover from her injuries sustained in the hit and run, Carnello graciously answered some of Mid Bay News’ questions via text message. We’ve put those questions and answers here:
“I cannot believe how many people I know shared my story and have expressed their concern for me since the accident. The notes, emails, and calls shared to me have make this horrific pain more manageable. I cannot stay up long enough to reply myself, or read without inducing a massive headache, but please know I am grateful and full of love to those around me. Having a community quickly share the word of my accident to help spread any chance of assistance gives a sense of belonging, and I am fortunate people around the country have felt the need to help with my financial burden. A local teacher stepped in and asked to share for help, and that ‘ok’ was all Jami Nespoli required when she stepped behind the scenes to help secure food for my family and me, flowers at my door, and a recent GoFundMe to help with my surgery and upcoming dental replacements.”
“Relying on your family, neighbors, and community can seem difficult as an independent person.
You aren’t weak when you lean in. God isn’t asking you to be only part of your journey.
Love God, love your You, and love the World.
I didn’t think I’d make it home that night, and I can’t believe I’m saying that. I’m tough, I’m strong, but I was weak. All I could think about was making sure Gator [Carnello’s dog] was okay, and talking to Will.
I know myself, and I know in times of danger I am the one to let everyone else feel okay. You do not have to do this. You are okay being the best you can be, and remember to thank the people around you for just being around and truly knowing you, because one day they’ll read your thoughts better than you. My players know they can always lean on me, but now I know I can count on them to check in and try to beg their way into my home when they see me down. I love them for that.
I also miss my 8th graders (and of course my amazing former students that have called, emailed, visited, sent notes and flowers). I tend to get a great bunch of families attached to me. Some are even as dedicated to forcing their parents to drive them from Crestview or Niceville to give me a picture and flowers, knowing they won’t be able to see me. I couldn’t have a better profession.”
“You knocked me down, but I got up. I probably tried to fight my own way home, fell again, and would have done it over and over. I don’t remember much from the accident, and certainly not enough to give the best timeline, but I know I tried to help myself. Imagine if you did, too. Forgive yourself, because I already do.”
– Do you know what your recovery looks like at this point? What do you want people to know?
“I have a metal bracket and wires in my mouth for four weeks (we hope no more). This is destroying my teeth, but my jaw is broken in two places and dislocated, so resetting it is a tough and necessary road. My next step after include dental surgeries.
I pray these are not as painful as the current. I do not wish this pain on anyone: the road burns, the headaches, the wires and brackets screwed into my jaw- it’s tough. However, the other side is there and I’m still getting up and fighting to get there as best I can.”
“My MealTrain and GoFundMe are active and will help alleviate the burden of the financial costs my family will endure. I wish I could easily cook or go to work, but even the best motivational speech won’t make the head and jaw pain go away. Also, please accept my gratitude and prayers back to you and yours. I cannot be more humbled by the outpouring of support and encouragement through this difficult time. I hope to be back on my feet soon and back where I belong, the ball field.”
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office got the initial call to respond to the hit and run on the 14th. The case has been handed over to the Florida Highway Patrol for investigation.
FHP Captain Jason King serves the Panama City area as a public information officer. Mid Bay News contacted King, who said he would get us information as soon as possible. Currently, King and many other state employees are helping with the response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and therefore may have an increased response time for information requests.
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