Mom of 10 Was Helping Stranded Family When Car Came Out of Nowhere. Weeks Later, Her Kids Got Hit After Hospital Visit (Exclusive)

A tragic series of events has left a single mother from Ontario struggling with severe injuries and financial difficulties after she selflessly tried to assist a family in distress. Maryanne Mullett, aged 47, was hit by a vehicle on January 1 while aiding a family stuck in a ditch. More than a month later, her children faced a similar scare when their vehicle was struck after visiting her in hospital.

Mullett, a mother of ten, had recently undergone surgery for thyroid cancer and was determined to ring in the new year on a hopeful note. However, her compassionate instinct took a dramatic turn when she noticed a minivan stranded on the roadside as she returned from a bingo game in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Recalling the incident, Mullett stated, “I was just doing a good deed to help a family that was in a very dangerous situation.” As she began to assist the family, she was unaware of the impending danger. Meanwhile, Vlad Orlenko, the minivan’s driver, described losing control of his vehicle, which ultimately led to Mullett’s traumatic accident.

As she assisted the family, Mullett was struck by a Mazda sedan, allegedly driven carelessly. Witnesses reported that her back door was pinned against her truck at the time of the impact, resulting in serious injuries, including a broken back, shattered pelvis, and head trauma. Clarifying the aftermath, Orlenko recounted how his family called 911 as they tended to Mullett until emergency services arrived. She was then airlifted to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto for urgent medical attention.

Despite the severity of her injuries, Mullett’s thoughts were with her family, notably her four children—Kevin, Christopher, Paul, and Madelyn—who visited her in the hospital on Valentine’s Day. The visit was meant to uplift her spirits, as the children brought treats and shared time together. Tragically, just after their visit, Mullett received alarming news: her children had been involved in a separate accident caused by a suspected drunk driver. Fortunately, they sustained only minor injuries.

These subsequent events have left Mullett grappling with the emotional and financial fallout stemming from her own accident. She has set up a GoFundMe page, which has garnered around 890 Canadian dollars, but much more is needed for what lies ahead. With the damage done to her truck, and with the loss of income from her Indigenous food business, Mullett fears losing her home. “Financially I’ve already depleted what savings I’ve had to cover me until now,” she remarked, expressing her deep concern about the future.

In addition to physical rehabilitation, Mullett is finding it emotionally taxing to balance her recovery with caring for her children, many of whom have special needs. Since the Valentine’s visit, she has only been able to see her children in person twice, highlighting the strain on her family dynamics during this challenging period.

Mullett’s resilience shines through despite her hardships. Reflecting on her choices, she maintained that she would still have aided Orlenko’s family, seeing the positive side of the incident. “I got injuries, but I saved three people and they’re still here,” she stated, demonstrating an inspiring perspective in the face of adversity.

As Maryanne Mullett continues her recovery, the community around her is rallying for support, highlighting not only her altruism but also the need for assistance during tough times. Mullett’s story serves as a reminder of the profound impacts of kindness and the unfortunate circumstances that can follow. Her determination to overcome adversity will undoubtedly continue to inspire those around her.