2 Teens Critical in Truck Crash on Highway 36 [Alton, CA]

Ellyit and Jilly Remain Hospitalized After Crash on Highway 36 in Alton

Alton, CA (July 17, 2025) – Two Humboldt County teenagers continue to receive treatment in the hospital following a devastating crash on Highway 36 earlier this week that has shaken their families and the broader community.

At around 12:05 p.m. on Monday, July 14, emergency responders arrived at the scene of a serious crash just east of Alton, near River Bar Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a vehicle attempted a U-turn and an oncoming logging truck struck it. 6

The violent impact severely damaged the car, trapping at least one person inside. First responders called for a second ambulance, and rescue crews had to extricate one of the girls from the wreckage. 

CHP classified the crash as a major injury collision.

Inside the car were two 17-year-old best friends, Ellyit and Jilly.

Medical teams airlifted the teens to trauma centers in separate cities—Jilly to UC Davis and Ellyit to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Both suffered life-threatening injuries. Ellyit remains in a coma.

Doctors immediately performed brain surgery on Ellyit to relieve swelling and remove a blood clot caused by severe head trauma, according to a GoFundMe page dedicated to her recovery. 

Ellyit, a student at Academy of the Redwoods, had been preparing to begin her senior year this fall.

Meanwhile, Jilly, who also sustained major trauma, has shown early signs of improvement. 

Her family reported that she suffers from multiple skull and facial fractures and a stabilized brain bleed. 

She continues to rest most of the day and was unable to complete a physical therapy test this week, though loved ones remain hopeful.

A family member wrote in a social media post, “They are 17, good students, sweet girls … and inseparable best friends.”

Community members across Humboldt County have come together in support—offering donations, prayers, and messages of encouragement. 

Two GoFundMe campaigns have been created to help with medical and travel costs:

• Help Ellyit and Her Family in Her Recovery Journey
  
• Rally to Help Jilly Recover
  

One campaign organizer noted, “The family will accumulate large medical bills associated with this tragedy along with the cost to eat and sleep in the city.

I want to do anything to ease their worry during this difficult time and hope the community will feel the same way.”

As the teens continue their difficult recovery, the impact of the crash resonates throughout the community—in homes, schools, and among families who now wait, hope, and support in every way they can.

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When Tragedy Strikes Without Warning, Sweet Lawyers Stands with Injured Families

A tragic crash like the recent collision on Highway 36—where two 17-year-old best friends, Ellyit and Jilly, suffered life-threatening injuries—serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can change.

In the aftermath of such devastating accidents, families are left reeling, facing not only emotional trauma but also mounting medical bills, travel costs, and long-term care needs. During these deeply painful moments, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

At Sweet Lawyers, we are here to support families through the overwhelming aftermath of serious accidents. With decades of experience in personal injury law, our compassionate attorneys understand the complexities that come with catastrophic injuries—especially those involving young people.

We are committed to helping injured victims and their families pursue justice and the financial support they need to focus on healing.

In cases involving severe trauma, such as traumatic brain injuries, surgeries, and extended hospitalization, legal support can make a significant difference.

Our team helps clients by handling insurance claims, coordinating with medical experts, and taking the legal burden off your shoulders—so you can prioritize recovery and family.

We know that no legal process can undo the pain or reverse what happened—but we can help you fight for the resources your family deserves to face the road ahead with strength and stability.

If your child, sibling, or loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, don’t wait to take the next step.

Call Sweet Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to listen, guide, and advocate for you.

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Let us help you carry the weight—because no family should face this kind of pain without support.