La Cueva teens improve after crash

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - There is some good news for the two La Cueva High School cheerleaders ejected and seriously injured when their SUV rolled Monday night.

They are making progress.

Friends said the two teens are inseparable, and right now they are together in the hospital fighting to get better after the car crash that almost killed them.

For the past few days La Cueva teammates of Lilly Pickard and Jessica Sanchez been by their side at the hospital.

Thursday afternoon the cheer squad was at the school for practice, the first since the bad accident.

The pair crashed on Paseo del Norte west of Tramway Boulevard after the teens lost control of the SUV they were driving and rolled it.

The teens were not wearing seat belts and were ejected.

Bernalillo County sheriffs deputies do not think drugs or alcohol were involved.

Thursday both girls went into surgery, and doctors told family members it is a good sign, saying they can handle it.

Friends told KRQE News 13 their condition is stable, and both girls able to respond to them by moving toes or gesturing.

The accident is on the team's mind this week at practice, especially for one cheerleader.

Christy Glandon drove up and found Pickard and Sanchez right after they crashed.

"I was shocked to see them laying there," Glandon said.  "I was taken back by it.

"In that moment my adrenaline was rushing, and I knew I had to do everything I could to help them."

Friends of the teens decided to have a prayer vigil to support the girls’ recovery.

That vigil will be Sunday at 8 p.m. on the La Cueva soccer fields.