Woman critically injured in car accident surprised with presents by a secret Santa Claus

A local Secret Santa is donating $1 million to people in need in eastern Idaho this holiday season, and the East Idaho News elves are helping.

From now until the end of the year we’ll be posting a Secret Santa surprise every day, and today we’re visiting a woman named Jennelle.

She had a tragic accident in 2022 flying from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City. She suffered broken ribs, a broken femur, both carotid arteries were severed and she suffered several small strokes. She spent over 100 days in a rehabilitation center in Utah, during which time she visited the University of Utah Hospital several times for severe infections.

When she returned to Idaho, the rod they inserted into her femur became infected and had to be removed and replaced. Last March, she underwent another operation on her right thigh, followed by more than a month of rehabilitation.

Jennelle needs to undergo extensive dental care due to the accident, but is unable to complete the treatment because she cannot afford it. She cannot work and is medically unable to work.

Secret Santa asked the East Idaho News elves to visit Jennelle with an early Christmas present. Check out the video in the player above.