Families in Taylor University crash tragedy releasing new book this week

This week, Simon & Schuster publishers will be releasing a new book - Mistaken Identity - focusing on the families of the two Taylor University students whose identities were mixed last year after the terrible van crash on I-69. 

The students had been returning to the Upland University campus after preparing for a scholarship awards luncheon at the Rudisill Boulevard campus of Taylor University in Fort Wayne.

The book release will be accompanied by a major media push including appearances by family members on NBC's The Today Show and by survivor Whitney Cerak on Dateline.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports:

Author Mark Tabb had the same question as everyone: How could a family sit at the young woman's bedside [at Fort Wayne's Parkview Hospital], not realizing it was not their daughter critically injured in a 2006 crash?

"Obviously, it was one of my questions," he said Friday.

He wondered about the emotions of another family who believed they buried a daughter, only to find out weeks later she survived the crash in a case of mistaken identity.

[ ... ]

The book chronicles the lives of both families: Byron Center residents Don and Susie Van Ryn, whose daughter, Laura, died in the April 26, 2006, crash, and Newell and Colleen Cerak of Gaylord, whose daughter, Whitney, survived.

[ ... ]

"It seems impossible," Tabb said. "But it's not just four or five people. There were a lot of people that went through (her hospital room). I think people are going to pick up the book, and say, 'How could it happen?' By the time they finish it, they're going to understand."

The parents of the women have declined repeated interview requests but are scheduled for national appearances next week on NBC's "Today" and a special two-hour "Dateline." Whitney Cerak will be interviewed on the programs. Neither family could be reached Friday.

The book will be released Tuesday, according to Simon & Schuster. The publisher promotes the book as the "shocking case of mistaken identity that stunned the country and made national news. Would it destroy a family? Shatter their faith? Push two families into bitterness, resentment and guilt?"

[ ... ]

Comments

[Bobett Kelley]

It's a miracle for one family and a sheer
tradegy for another.

[Bobett Kelley]

My heart & soul & prayers are with these Taylor University families always. As we were traveling northbound I-69 that night stopping to get gas...minutes before...thank you Jesus... for allowing us time to go around this.

God Bless Us all,

It's a Miracle!

[John McGauley]

I read a large portion of this book this evening and tonight after picking it up earlier in the day.

It is incredibly powerful and hard to read without being overwhelmed with emotion for these two families. This book is a real testament to the power of faith and family.

Readers will be grateful that the families participated in this book and offered us such a wonderful lesson in dealing with loss.

[Karen Ricci]

Most powerful and wonderful book I have ever read. I cried from the beginning to the end, I hardly left a dry page in the book. thankyou to both families for sharing this with the world.