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Coloradans Who Moved To Alaska Hurt In Accident

LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4) - Family and friends of a couple hit by a suspected drunk driver in Alaska have set up a fund for their recovery.

Ashley Brotherton and Clayton Wilbanks, both 24, are originally from Littleton and were high school sweethearts. They met at Heritage High School and moved to Alaska last summer for Brotherton's first teaching job.

A pickup hit both of them early New Year's Day while they were walking home after a concert.

Both remained in hospitals in Alaska Tuesday morning. Wilbanks was listed as being in fair condition but Brotherton was listed in critical condition.

Wilbanks told CBS4 by phone "My lung is bruised, my liver is bruised. There's a 4 inch cut on my spleen, internal bleeding."

Ashley was initially in a coma but has since opened her eyes and is responding to commands.

Police say the 21-year-old driver tried to flee but his truck got stuck in a snowbank. Bystanders held him until police arrived.

Nono's Cafe in Littleton, where Ashley had worked for years, is trying to raise money to get the families up to Alaska. The cafe is located at 3005 W. County Line Rd., near Santa Fe Avenue. People can call (303) 738-8330 to contribute funding to help with the effort.

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