On August 23, 2017, Emily Patricia Houska , a 23-year-old resident of Darien, Illinois, was tragically killed after being struck by a vehicle. Incident Overview

Dr. Patel, the attending neurologist, would later tell her family that she was, "remarkably lucky, if we can use that word." A few centimeters to the right, he explained, and the conversation would have been very different.

A GoFundMe campaign was established in her honor to support charitable causes, reflecting her lifelong passion for social service. Her obituary highlights the profound impact she had on her family, including her parents, Dan and Michelle, and her sisters, Katie and Sara.

In the aftermath of the accident, the racing community rallied around Emily Houska, with an outpouring of support and well-wishes from fans, fellow drivers, and sponsors. The hashtag #GetWellEmily quickly trended on social media, with thousands of people sharing messages of encouragement and support.

Rather than letting the trauma define her, Emily chose to share her story publicly through the student newspaper, The Vidette, to raise awareness about safety and recovery. She graduated from ISU on schedule in the spring of 2016 with a degree in social work. Academic and Professional Goals