Photo: Facebook and mealtrain.com The Polkky family are in need of assistance after Marnie Polkky lost her left leg and suffered a broken right ankle in a crash in which a vehicle struck the motorcycle she and her husband John were riding earlier this month.

OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP — A two-vehicle crash on July 8, involving a car and a motorcycle, resulted in both riders of the motorcycle being transported to Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital.

John and Marnie Polkky of Hancock were northbound on U.S. 41 near the Golf Course Road. In the southbound lane, a vehicle stopped, waiting to turn left onto the Golf Course Road. A second southbound vehicle then entered the northbound lane, striking the Polkky motorcycle, according to Ed Stoneman, a friend of the Polkkys.

Trooper Russ Larson of the Michigan State Police (MSP) Calumet Post, who verified the details, said the driver of the second vehicle was distracted with a cell phone, and saw the stopped vehicle ahead too late, swerved to avoid striking it, and struck the motorcycle.

Because of her injuries, Marnie was airlifted to Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, for surgery, but her left leg could not be saved. It was amputated.

She also received surgery to repair injuries to her right ankle on July 16. In addition, she also she experienced two pulmonary embolisms. After a 12-day hospitalization, Marnie returned home on Wednesday.

The MSP, which had not previously released any information regarding the accident, said that the accident report had been forwarded to the Houghton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, but what would not disclose any charges filed or tickets issued, pending further investigation.

In an effort to help the Polkky family, Vicky Chesney has organized a meal train site through Facebook, to provide the Polkkys with meals and/or donations.

“John and Marnie feel blessed beyond belief to have survived,” Chesney stated on the meal train page, “but their family will have a long road ahead adjusting to their new ‘normal’ lives. In the meantime, we, as their friends, neighbors and co-workers can help them with meals for their family.

“If you’re not in the area (or not very proficient at baking or cooking), but you’d still like to help the family, there are options available on this site to purchase gift cards or make monetary donations.”

Anyone interested in donating can access the meal train site through Facebook. The URL for the website is https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/8dmyl5. On the site are schedules for meals, and other options available.