‘Today is a very good day’: Bend family sees hope in progress made by Lauren, Brooks Bramscher since Century Drive crash

BEND, Ore (KTVZ)- Two weeks ago, Lauren and Brooks Bramscher were on their way to Mt. Bachelor when their SUV hit ice on Century Drive and collided with a Cascades East Transit shuttle bus. On Monday, their dad said he's finding hope in their progress and appreciates the overwhelming support from the community.

“We were called to St. Charles, where they were both unconscious. It was a very tough day, as you can imagine," Craig Bramscher recalled Monday.

Lauren and Brooks Bramscher were critically injured and both suffered brain injuries in the Jan. 6 crash, which means a long road to recovery. Their dad, Craig, and his wife have been rotating shifts at St. Charles Bend to be there 24 hours a day.

“Today is a very good day," Bramscher expressed. "It hasn't been for the first week or 10 days. It was pretty grim.”

On Monday, Lauren's breathing tube was removed, and the artist and Summit High tennis player spoke to her family for the first time since the accident. Her brother, Brooks, the 19-year-old driver that day, was studying musical performance at Portland State, and has made enough progress to be moved to an outpatient rehabilitation facility. And he's playing guitar again.

“Yeah, I have no words." Bramscher said. "You know, it's the support, it's been amazing -- neighbors, friends. It's been a roller coaster, as you can imagine. For many days, we just didn't know what was good, the outcome was going to be.".

A family friend started an online fundraiser that's brought in more than $123,000 for expenses. Other support is coming from the pickleball community. The Bramschers are avid pickleballers and started a new equipment business just days before the accident.

“I think that's the thing that we realized, you know. Pickleball is very much a community thing, right? It's about meeting people, being social, having fun and trying to get better," he said. "That's exactly what I want for Lauren and Brooks. I want them to be social. I want them to be happy -- and I want them to get better."

Friends are now helping design a new pickleball paddle with Lauren and Brooks in mind. All proceeds will go to support their recovery.

“Something like 'LB' -- Lauren and Brooks Strong. A paddle designed for that, and bring some cool new technology for that as well," Bramscher said.