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Polk County crash victim recovering from burns

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2009

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• Long recovery ahead for woman

Jodi Oakes

A Polk County woman severely burned in a car wreck last week faces at least a month in the hospital and a number of skin graft surgeries.

Jodi Oakes sustained second- and third-degree burns over 53 percent of her body after crashing her car into a tree near Bartow on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old mother of three was taken off a ventilator Sunday afternoon and is talking, her sister said, though family members are encouraging rest.

"We don't want her talking much," said Julia Oakes, 17

Oakes is in Tampa General Hospital's intensive care burn unit. Doctors told her sister she likely will be in the hospital at least a month and will require skin grafts.

The family has established an account at Mid Florida Credit Union to help pay the hospital bills. Deposits can be made in the name of Jodi Oakes at any branch.

Oakes' injuries might have been worse, if not for Michael Gay.

He said he drove past the accident on 80 Foot Road, then realized someone was trapped inside the burning car.

"She knew the car was on fire, she knew she couldn't get out, she knew she needed help, and she was just screaming the whole time for help," Gay said.

Oakes tried to remove her seatbelt but couldn't, Gay said. He tried to pull her out the passenger side, but the door was jammed.

By the time Gay got back around to the driver's-side window, Oakes' seatbelt had burned through and he could release her.

Oakes' family members have talked to Gay on the phone, but Julia Oakes said they hope to meet him face-to-face.

The family isn't sure what caused the crash. Investigators say Oakes didn't stop at the stop sign at County Road 640 and 80 Foot Road.

The wreck isn't Oakes' first brush with death this year. She had a pacemaker and a defibrillator implanted after a heart attack in January. Oakes, of Davenport, has two sons and a daughter, ages 8, 5 and 2.

Information from Tribune archives was used in this report.

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