Ava, Amy Jones to be discharged from Louisville hospital Aug. 17

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Mary Honeck, the grandmother of Nickerson basketball star Ava Jones and mother of Amy Jones, Ava’s mother, reported on social media that the two will be discharged from a Louisville, Ky. hospital on Aug. 17.

The pair have been hospitalized since July 6, when they and two other members of the family were struck by a car while on a sidewalk in Louisville. Ava’s father and Amy’s husband, Trey, died as a result of his injuries. Ava’s younger brother suffered minor injuries, and Ava and Amy were initially hospitalized in critical condition. Ava suffered a broken back, and both spent days on a ventilator.

The family was struck by a vehicle driven by Michael Hurley, who faces a murder charge in the death of Trey Jones. He also faces charges of first-degree assault and driving under the influence. Hurley admitted to taking Hydrocodone and said he was too tired to maneuver a turn.

Ava and Amy were transferred out of ICU on July 20 and have been rehabilitating at the University of Louisville Rehab Center. They will continue rehab upon their return to Kansas. The family was in Louisville for Ava’s summer basketball tournament. She will be a senior at Nickerson High and has committed to play basketball at the University of Iowa. Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder said Friday that the program would honor Ava’s scholarship whether or not she’s able to play.

In Nickerson, family and friends have started to prepare for Ava and Amy’s return and that means getting the house ready for them. They helped organize a GoFundMe for the family.

“We’re putting some handrails in there and just making it handicap-accessible for my mom when she does come back,” Ava’s brother and Amy’s son, Hunter Jones said. “…We have a little step up in our back room there. We’re going to put a little ramp, build a little ramp up there so she can get in and out of the back room.”

The community continues to rally behind the family and the includes the University of Iowa honoring Ava’s scholarship even if she can’t play. “Iowa coaches have been great to us and they’ve come a few times and been talking to Ava on the phone the whole time. And when Ava and my mom were under, they were making sure that she was going to get all her school paid for,” Hunter said.

Others are finding ways to help. “A Field Night” in Hutchinson is set for Aug. 13, a week from Saturday, with all proceeds going toward the family. Hutchinson teacher and coach Clayton Evans, who was also in an accident after which the community helped him in his recovery, said he wanted to find a way to help the Jones family.

“For what the community did for me, I’m glad I can be on this side and give it back,” Evans said.

Gates for the Field Night next Saturday at Don Michael Field in Hutchinson open at 5 p.m. It’s a community event that will feature a raffle and prizes given out. Proceeds go to the Jones family.

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