Page 86 - Life in Naples November 2018

CCSO DEPUTY RECOGNIZES

GIRLS WHO SURVIVED

CRASH WITH GIFTS

ater filled the submerged vehicle but 10-year-old Cpl. Wrobleski also learned that the girls had lost an iPhone
Gabriella Chernysh would not let go of her book. and about $300 worth of other books in the crash.
Not as her 14-year-old sister Isabel punched At one point Gabriella turned to her old sister, realizing what
W the glass window to make their escape. Not she had done.
when Isabel grabbed Gabriella and pulled her through to “You were so heroic,” she told Isabel. “You saved my life.”
safety. Not even as emergency crews arrived on scene to treat At the ceremony, more than two months after the crash, Cpl.
their mother Rachael, who was still trapped inside the family Wrobleski presented Gabriella with a new copy of her beloved
car following a June crash into the canal at Cougar Drive and book, a Harry Potter throw and $300 worth of gift cards to Target
Airport-Pulling Road North. and Barnes & Noble to replace the books and other personal items
The family survived with only minor injuries, thanks to Isabel’s lost in the crash.
bravery. The Barron Collier High School teen was recognized for “I’m not going to be able to get that blanket out of her hands,”
her heroic actions during a Collier County Sheriff’s Office awards their mother Rachael said.
ceremony September 10. Cpl. Wrobleski reached out to the businesses after nominating
But Gabriella’s book, the sixth in the Harry Potter series, was Isabel for the Sheriff Appreciation Award. Target and Barnes
ruined. Water curled its pages and debris from the canal muddied & Noble were eager to chip in, offering a small silver lining to a
its cover. Cpl. Tania Wrobleski remembered how fiercely Gabriella terrifying experience.
clung to the book, and how scared but brave the girls were, jarred Rachael said she’s happy that her daughters will be able to look
as they were by the crash and worried for their mother’s wellbeing. back on the experience in a more positive light after the awards
“They had their mother’s blood on their clothing and every ceremony and the gift, and she said she was thankful to Cpl.
time they looked at her they started to cry,” Cpl. Wrobleski said. Wrobleski for her handling of the situation.
Cpl. Wrobleski continued to talk to the girls, getting the full Cpl. Wrobleski said she was honored to help.
story of what happened and keeping them occupied as the crash “They were so brave and awesome, and I don’t think they realize
scene was processed. how much they’ve impacted me,” Cpl. Wrobleski said, hugging the
“Gabby’s seat belt got stuck in her car seat,” Isabel recalled. sisters after the ceremony. “They are such good girls.”

86 Life in Naples | November 2018