After horrific crash involving a pastor and his children, community raises nearly $100K

A nightmarish car crash has left two parents reeling as two of their three children are being treated for life-threatening injuries.

The father, Jason Johns, is a pastor who works for free. He’d been driving his three children to school Wednesday morning. But at Gregory Boulevard and The Paseo, his vehicle collided with another.

Everyone survived, but the crash was so violent that the couple’s 8-year-old shows no brain activity.

The community has responded with a tremendous showing of generosity in support of the family. Nearly $100,000 has been raised for medical expenses.

“We all thank all of you for the (outpouring) of love and support,” Jason and wife Sarah Johns said, according to a post on the GoFundMe page for the family’s medical expenses that was updated Saturday morning.

The two Johns daughters face a very difficult road to recovery.

Hope, 5, remains in critical condition. She underwent surgery to remove a ruptured appendix and is in a chest brace after suffering multiple fractures in her spine. She’s showing no signs of mobility in her lower extremities but has no apparent brain damage, according to the GoFundMe page.

“The most precious update so far is that Hope mouthed, ‘I want Momma,’ ” wrote Adrien Hawkins, who created the GoFundMe page.

Hope is communicating with her family by opening and closing her eyes. She was able to keep them open for about 15 minutes recently while watching the Disney movie “Moana.”

Elise, 8, remains in critical condition. An MRI revealed no brain activity and, and she suffered multiple seizures following the crash. Her heart is beating on its own, but she’s on life support to breathe.

The impact of the crash was so violent that a tooth was knocked out and traveled to her lungs.

More tests are being conducted through the weekend on Elise, Hawkins wrote, adding: “This time is critical and the family continues to ask for prayer.”

Kaden, the Johns’ son, suffered a broken arm and is now staying with his grandparents.

Jason Johns is a pastor of an “inner-city KC church and is currently receiving no salary,” Hawkins wrote. Sarah Johns is a fitness instructor and has been providing income for the family.

Nearly 1,000 people have raised more than $93,000 as of Saturday afternoon for the family. The GoFundMe page has been shared thousands of times.

“Jason and Sarah are now surrounded by their entire family,” Hawkins wrote, “and are hopeful for full recovery of their children.”

This story was originally published August 26, 2017 at 1:56 PM with the headline "After horrific crash involving a pastor and his children, community raises nearly $100K."