17/10/2022
Update as of 6pm, from Rhonda, Lauren’s mother.
“Dear friends and family,
Thank you so much for the outpouring of support for Lauren and her dad during this difficult time.
We are truly blessed and humbled by all of the texts, messages, phone calls and visits we have received in the past few days.
For those who don’t know, I will share a few details of what happened and Lauren’s current status without revealing to much information out of respect for her privacy:
On Saturday night around midnight I received a knock on the door no mother should ever have to get. Awakened from my sleep, I was horrified to walk to my front door only to see a flashlight shining in my window and a uniformed Florida Highway Patrol officer and Escambia County Sheriff’s staff member standing at my door. I knew the news would not be something I wanted to hear. I was told that Kevin and Lauren had been in an accident near the Okaloosa/Walton County line and that Kevin had died at the scene and Lauren had been flown to the Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center Emergency Department. She is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UF Shands in Gainesville and the next 24-36 hours will be critical.
There are so many people I want to thank.
Thank you to the witnesses and first responders who arrived first on scene. While I don’t know all of the details nor do I want to right now (that will all come out in time) from what I have been told it was a very difficult thing to witness.
Thank you to the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office for your support and professionalism from the very start. Specifically I want to thank Col. Jeremy Small for transporting me to my daughter and keeping me calm all the while not knowing what we would find once we arrived. I also want to thank Col. Dawn Janes for standing vigil along with Col. Small for the 5 hours it took to get Lauren stabilized to airlift to Shands. As if that’s not enough Col. Small even ensured Lauren’s three cats were fed and taken care of until a permanent pet-sitter could be found. Thanks also to FHP Sgt. Ron Livingston and FHP Traffic Homicide Investigator along with the many other FHP officers who put the pieces together to ensure justice will be served.
Thank you to the trauma team at the Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center Emergency Room for getting my girl stabilized enough for transport to Shands. Thank you to the flight crew who got her safely here. I did not know this until today but I have been told that the helicopter had to make a stop along the way to pick up additional units of blood for her. And I cannot say enough positive things about the entire team of doctors (and there are a LOT of them) here at Shands who have been working around the clock nonstop to give Lauren what I know will be the best possible outcome.
Thanks also to the various groups that have stepped up to show their support: The Escambia County (FL) Sheriffs Office and Sheriff Chip Simmons, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Heath Jackson, the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Crime Prevention Association, University of Florida Police Department, Hillcrest Church, Heritage Church, North Brewton Baptist Church, Royally Fierce Equestrian Team, L Pond Fishing and Recreation Club, and Pensacola Christian Academy.
And many thanks to all of the individuals who have shown their support in big and small ways from near and far. There are way too many to name and I don’t want to leave anyone out, but you know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. From feeding cats, to getting my mom here, to bringing us food, to screening and responding to the many messages and texts while I attempt to get some rest - you know who you are. We have tried to respond to most everyone’s messages but if I did not or if I do not in the future please know that each and every one is heard/read and very much appreciated.
Most importantly I want to thank God for all He has done and continues to do each and every day. I’ve seen more miracles in the past few days than I can count and they just keep coming. Looking back now I know He has been working in my life and in the lives of others for longer than anyone will ever know to prepare us for this very moment in time. One day Lauren is going to have one incredible testimony to share about the goodness of God even in times of trouble. She’s got a long road ahead of her but I know she is going to come through with her mind, body and faith only made stronger through this situation.
I won’t go into specifics about her injuries, only to say that it is one step forward and two steps back at this point. She’s a fighter and although the medical staff are keeping her heavily sedated so she can rest and heal, she has shown no indication of giving up. I don’t think the word “quit” exists in her vocabulary, and her determination is more evident now than ever. She did have a second surgery earlier today and is scheduled to have a third one tomorrow, and we are all encouraged by the fact that she is stable enough for surgery and seems to handle them as well as could be expected. For the medical staff it’s all just a balancing act to see what works and what doesn’t.
For those who have been asking what you can do, I’m including an address for her hospital room. Visitors are not allowed, however, cards and letters are welcome. I am sure she would love to see cards and letters on her wall when she wakes up. Flowers and latex balloons are not allowed in the PICU, but if anyone wants to send gifts such as stuffed animals or other items, there is a gift shop at the hospital. They will not recognize her as Lauren Ray at the hospital so if you want to send something tell them she is listed as “Transfer Omaha” in PICU Room 415. I am also including the address:
Lauren Ray
c/o Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Room 10415
UF Shands Children's Hospital
1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL. 32610
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We feel them and appreciate them more than you know.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Original post: Hi friends.
This is Lauren, the beautiful daughter of Kevin & Rhonda Ray. Lauren was involved in a horrific accident this weekend traveling home from a football game with her father.
Master Deputy Kevin Ray, a respected & well loved Law Enforcement Officer at Escambia County Sheriff's Office, was killed immediately and while other details are being sorted out, for respect of the family that is all I am able to share.
Rhonda is a civilian who works at the ECSO and also someone who works in the wedding industry as a videographer whom I have had the pleasure working beside as well.
Due to the severities of Lauren’s injuries, she is currently fighting for her life at the Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville, FL with her mother Rhonda Ray by her side.
I am asking all of our LEO family far & wide to come together & help this family through this unimaginable time.
From Lauren’s Mom:
(other information shared I’ve removed until the family is ready to share the details themselves) ——
“the most concerning injury is a brain bleed which they are monitoring closely. Now for the GOOD news. She has no spinal injuries as far as they can tell. When they lowered her sedation upon arrival at Shands she was very responsive and was using her right hand to try to pull the breathing tube out. They immediately increased her sedation and she is now in a medically induced coma. The pressure in her brain has been holding at 13 since just before her surgery and anything under 20 they consider good. She's a fierce fighter and we appreciate all of the love and support.
She would love to have cards from her friends and family when she wakes up and they can be sent to the following address:
Lauren Ray
c/o Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Room 10415
UF Shands Children's Hospital
1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL. 32610
Feel free to share.
❤️”
Lauren’s favorite color is teal.
She loves Texas Roadhouse & Carrabba's Italian Grill.
Her favorite hobbies are anything you can imagine that is related to horses or surfing. But also, just remember- she’s a 15 year old girl who just experienced something incredibly life-altering so ANYthing to possibly bring joy to Lauren’s life once she wakes up is welcome.
Gift cards or simply a card with a note stating you’re praying for her; it is all welcome & perfect. Stuffed animals, mylar balloons, and silk flowers are acceptable and may be purchased through the hospital gift shop or other local flower shops. *latex balloons & flowers are not allowed with PICU patients due to allergies.
Also, I’m asking anyone out there who is able to include something for her mom, who won’t say she needs absolutely anything because as you can imagine, the greatest gift of all would be her daughter being healed- it would be so appreciated (by me).. just something to also lift her spirits during this time.
Kevin’s parents live in Troy, AL and I have their mailing address as well to share with you in DM or personal message if you would like to send them anything as well. They’re not able to travel down due to health issues, but they are needing us just as much.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to ask if something can help as I’ve been in touch with Rhonda & will do my best to respect her time right now, but also do what we can to lift them during this time.
Meal trains are not in place currently because of having to be at Shands, but gift cards for food would be a wonderful thing for them in my opinion so it is one last thing for them to worry about right now.
Thank you so much & please pray for this beautiful girl every chance you get.
❤️
