'Huge support system.' Dalton rallies behind coach Lauran Hicks after motorcycle crash

DALTON – Lauran Hicks, a Dalton High graduate and coach, has a way of leaving her mark on everyone she meets, her family says.

“She's reached out and touched more lives in her 23 years than I have in my 55,” her mom, Sandy Hicks said.

Lauran Hicks has been coaching Dalton Local teams for several years with plans to lead the Dalton freshman volleyball team this year until a recent motorcycle accident left her in a coma.

The Dalton basketball and volleyball teams, along with Gerber's, will host a barbecue chicken dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 15. The benefit will be held in the Dalton High parking lot with any donations raised given to Hicks' family to help cover medical bills and other expenses.

Reaching new heights: Wooster Twp. drone offers life-saving technology at Dalton MARS fire

Who is Dalton's Lauran Hicks?

Hicks graduated from Dalton High in 2017, where she played volleyball and basketball all four years. Her volleyball coach, Allison Hostetler, and basketball coach, Katie Miller, enjoyed watching her grow and seeing how she always pushed herself.

“When she played, she was someone who was very coachable. (She) did whatever it took for her team to have success,” Miller said. “... She always had that mindset of going out there and giving it her all and she definitely continued to do that as a coach.”

Since returning to Dalton after attending college for a year, Hicks has coached several sports teams over the years. During that time, Hostetler said, Hicks has been the biggest cheerleader for her teams.

“She wants to be the best that she can be,” Hostetler said. “No matter the situation that she's in, she's gonna try to do the best for her, for the people around her, for her teammates (and) for her parents. And I just feel like that's just the type of person that she is.”

Theater is back!: Summer Stage Wooster's 'The Music Man' opens this month after COVID delay

Accident leaves Lauren Hicks in coma

On June 28, Hicks was seriously injured when the motorcycle she was riding on lost control on a curve in Wayne Township and struck a ditch, according to a media release from the Wooster Post of the Highway Patrol.

Dalton STEAM Playlab coming along: Construction continues on Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab, summer 2023 opening eyed

The driver, Joshua Perrera, of Rittman, died at the scene. Hicks was flown to Summa Akron City Hospital, where she has remained in intensive care.

As of Tuesday, Hicks remains in a coma and on a feeding tube, according to her mother and father, Tom.

Although they are uncertain of the extent of the injuries to her brain and spine, her vital signs are improving so the doctors plan to move Lauran to a long-term acute care hospital, Tom Hicks said, where they hope to eventually begin rehabilitation.

How to help Lauran and her family

Since the chicken for Friday’s event was donated by Gerber's, Miller and Hostetler said there is no cost for those who attend the benefit and donations are welcome.

There are more ways people can help the Hicks’ family.

A GoFundMe page was started by friends on July 1 to help raise money to cover medical costs. As of Tuesday, $4,242 had be raised toward the $5,000 goal.

Tom Hicks also said his family plans to do a fundraiser with bracelets to show support for Lauran as she goes through recovery. More information will come out soon.

With a long road of recovery ahead for Lauran, her parents are hopeful she will continue to progress.

“She's got a huge support system," her mom said. "And prayers going her way."

Reach Rachel at rkaras@gannett.com   

On Twitter: @RachelKaras3 

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Community to host fundraiser for Lauran Hicks, Dalton grad, coach