OLNEY — A horrific incident happened in northwest Montana last November when 6-year-old Jordana Hubble was hit by a vehicle while crossing a street after getting off of her school bus near Whitefish.
After initially being treated in the Flathead area, she was taken to Nexus Children’s Hospital in Houston in January to continue her recovery. She has been in Houston since then with her mother Veronica, rehabilitating in a coma emergence program.
On Thursday, Hubble received the OK from doctors and will be traveling to her family home in Olney for the first time since the incident took place. Jordana’s father Cody hasn’t seen his daughter in-person since she left for Houston. Cody’s been out of work since the accident, taking care of Jordana’s two siblings while his wife, Veronica, stayed with Jordana.
"I want to see my daughter and see how much better I can make her life from the way it is now, to the way that it was, the way that she wanted it,” said Cody.
Cody is still picking up the pieces, trying to come to terms with what happened that afternoon in early November, forever changing his family. Cody was across the street waiting for his daughter when she got off the school bus. “Dropping her off right there at the driveway and a few seconds later she was a pile of herself in the ditch. The one time I couldn’t protect her, wasn’t much I could do, there was nothing I could do,” said Cody.
Court documents state that Jordana "was thrown approximately 60 feet from the point of impact to where she came to rest in the ditch." The driver of the vehicle, Patricia Berliner, pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony criminal endangerment; her jury trial is set for November 30.
“Nothing would really change the outcome of the way things are now. I think it should stay on her record that’s for sure, and I think that there should be punishment enough to make people want to pay attention and not just let off the gas and blow through stop signs,” said Hubble.
Cody said Jordana's progress has been amazing since she's been in Houston, and she will continue her rehabilitation in Whitefish. At this time, Cody says she’s not able to talk, fully walk, or eat on her own.
He hopes the comforts of being at home around family will give Jordana confidence in the days, months and years to come. “This will be something that will be a challenge for her the rest of her life,
and for us too. I’m sure at some point she may get back out of diapers again, but that might be awhile,” said Hubble.
The Hubble family said Jordana is easily disturbed by loud noises and commotion, and ask that community residents give the family space while Jordana transitions back home.
Berliner was arraigned in Flathead County District Court in April. Berliner pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony criminal endangerment and was released on her own recognizance. The charge carries a maximum term in the Montana State Prison of 10 years and a maximum fine of $50,000. Berliner waived her rights to a speedy trial for the period of a requested continuance, according to court documents. Originally set for August 17, the trial will now be held on November 30. Court documents state that “the defendant needs additional time to adequately prepare her defense for trial and to adequately investigate this matter.”
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