Woman training for half-marathon left paralyzed after West Allis car crash

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 29-year-old woman was left paralyzed from the waist down after a car stuck her at 78th and Kinnickinnic River Parkway. Her husband says his wife was preparing for a half-marathon, just three days before her birthday.

Jennifer Grosschadl knew this route by heart.

“It was part of what defines who she is," said Joshua Grosschadl. "Jenny was on a three-mile routine run."

The event planner found freedom when her feet hit the pavement.

"It was her escape away from everything," said Joshua. 

Jennifer had spent her entire life volunteering with local running groups, including Girls on the Run.

“It wasn’t just always thinking about her physical health, she was trying to inspire others to do it, too," said Joshua. 

On Tuesday night, the unthinkable happened.

“I still see it every couple hours, every day. I can’t stop seeing it," said Joshua.

Joshua was biking right behind his wife when they stopped at 76th and Kinnickinnic River Parkway.

“She’d run it so many times, she knew how to be safe in that intersection. She knew exactly what she needed to do," said Joshua.

Jenny started to run across, but a car struck her.

"At one point, she was about 10 feet in the air, head down, feet up," said Joshua.

She was left paralyzed from the waist down.

“It’s the most traumatizing and horrific thing I’ve ever seen in my life," said Joshua.

Jenny’s road to recovery is a long one.

“Physical activity was her favorite thing," said Joshua. "It breaks my heart to know that that’s going to be a limited aspect of her life, now.”

It’s a recovery Joshua says he believes his wife has the strength to make.

“If there is a single person strong enough to push through it, it’s going to be Jenny," he said.

A GoFundMe has been created to help her as she heals. To donate, click here.