Courtney Deveau and her boyfriend Zachary Legacy were talking about the moose signage and fencing around the highway they were travelling along just moments before they hit a moose that totalled their Volkswagen Golf.
The collision happened in early December along Highway 7 near Geary, N.B. Deveau, 28, was transported to hospital with serious injuries—she was kicked in the head by the animal. Three weeks later she is still in recovery, which her family say may take several months.
Legacy, who was driving at the time, saw the moose’s front legs strike Deveau at least twice in the head as the dying animal tried to get its limbs off the car, he said.
“I tried to get in front of it, but my seatbelt was on and I was so in shock. I didn’t know to press my seatbelt button to take it off, I was just trying to get in front of her,” he said.
Legacy said he was crying and felt helpless on the dark cold highway, until professional help arrived.
He said Courtney stopped responding after the hit and did not respond “for a long time,” until she was treated at the hospital. Legacy suffered a bruise on his forearm along with some scratches, he said.
“I was in shock that either of us walked away, the roof had been peeled back, you know, to the rear seats,” he said.
“I’ve replayed it over and over and over and over again in my head,” he said. “What I could have done differently.
“I really don’t know an answer for that question.”
He said if there had been lights on the highway, perhaps they could have spotted the moose.
The Grand-Bay Westfield RCMP confirmed the collision but could not provide further details before publishing time.
Jennifer Deveau said she learned about her daughter’s accident when a woman called and texted her using Courtney’s cell phone.
“I went into shock, I was frantic,” said Deveau.
Upon reaching the Saint John Regional Hospital, Deveau was told her daughter was being moved to the intensive care unit, she said.
“She had suffered a traumatic brain injury, she had a fractured jaw, and some fractured ribs,” Deveau said.
Courtney was put in an induced coma. Since then, she has been making little progress every few days, said Deveau.
She has seen Courtney wake up in intervals, squeeze the doctor’s hand, blink her eyes, speak a few words, track her parents with her eyes, write on the white board, respond to questions and walk with assistance.
“We were pretty amazed with her progress on Christmas Day, she was reading a little bit.
“She is now smiling, like showing her teeth to smile, which we always said she had a million-dollar smile … We’re able to see that million dollar smile again,” said Deveau.
She said it feels frustrating at times when Courtney does not recognize her mother, but at the same time she remains hopeful and grateful for her daughter’s progress.
The mother said she also feels emotional when her daughter does recall their memories and gestures.
She said Courtney is a very active person who loves to volunteer for the community, and has a passion to hit the gym.
Deveau shares a Saint John apartment with Courtney, and her absence at home is felt, she said.
“She is very bubbly, very kind, has a lot of empathy and compassion,” said Deveau. “At the same time, she likes to take the bull by the horn.”
Deveau said she does not know how the brain injury could affect Courtney’s future but the family continues to pray for a full recovery.
Legacy said the collision has changed his perception of life. He said he is grateful to the people who stopped to call the first responders, and put blankets on the injured couple during the cold night.
“You always think it is not going to be you,” he said.
“It’s just given me a whole new perspective on how precious life is, how fragile life can be, and I’ve really been reflecting a lot on how much Courtney and I love to do together.”
