ELBRIDGE - Even when her doctors believed she had almost no chance of surviving, James Best never doubted his wife Katie would live.

After a horrific car accident, Best was told his wife had just a 1 percent chance of pulling through. Katie Best had fractured her pelvis in both hips, suffered a ruptured spleen, broke her clavicle and had massive internal injuries. She'd lost a large amount of blood.

For James Best, the reason he and his wife are still together is quite simple: “I think God saved her. It was a miracle.”

To celebrate and to help defray some of the family's medical expenses, a spaghetti dinner was held Wednesday night at Jordan-Elbridge High School. More than 300 people attended.

Best is in his first year teaching physical education at Jordan-Elbridge's elementary school and high school. He and his wife attend Northside Baptist Church in Liverpool and their faith is extremely important.

The accident occurred in early October. Once the most critical days had passed, Katie was not expected to be transferred to the rehab unit at Syracuse's University Hospital until after Christmas, let alone be sent home the second week of December. But she will be back at her North Syracuse home sometime next week, her husband said.

Katie, who was 6 1/2 months pregnant when the accident occurred, lost the baby. She has undergone nine surgeries and her doctors now say she will make a full recovery. She'll need to use a walker at home for a time, and she'll always carry a few scars, but her husband said she will be able to have children one day.

She was driving to watch her husband coach the Jordan-Elbridge boys soccer team when she went through the intersection at Routes 91 and 20 in Pompey. A Nissan truck crested the hill and struck her car on the driver's side. Neither was ticketed by police, it was determined to be an accident.

The intersection where the accident happened has been the site of 11 serious accidents over the past two years - the vast majority caused because drivers going south on Route 91 don't have enough time to get across Route 20.

Last month, the state Department of Transportation quickly acted by lowering the speed limit on that section of Route 20 from 55 mph to 40.

During the soccer game, where Best was working as an assistant coach, there were rumblings among the spectators that a serious accident had occurred nearby. Best's parents were at the game to support him.

On the bus trip home, just as they were about to get a late dinner at a Burger King in Tully, Best got the terrible phone call that his wife had been in an accident, that he had to rush immediately to University Hospital. After dropping Best off there, the bus driver took the stunned students back to the high school.

Wednesday, the J-E cafeteria was packed with faculty, students, and families

The boys soccer team and Varsity Club - which is for students who have lettered in two sports in one school year and then have been chosen by a faculty committee for their citizenship, leadership, and other qualities - helped by clearing tables and passing out desserts. The dinner placemats were hand-drawn by children Best taught at the elementary school, many with a happy Christmas theme.

“It's been great. The school's support has been amazing,” Best said.

Mike and Mindy Smart helped organize the spaghetti dinner.

“They're a wonderful couple,” Mindy said. “And he's just a great guy. We're lucky to have him here.”

To help the family

To assist the Best family with their medical expenses, support can be sent c/o Katie Best, 38 Waterbury Drive, North Syracuse, NY 13212.