A 21-year-old Lititz woman, critically injured in a traffic accident earlier this month that claimed the life of her parents, has come out of a coma, according to relatives.

Jacy Good had been in a coma since the May 18 accident on Route 222 in Berks County.

But according to a relative and a report in today's Reading Eagle newspaper, Good started responding to voices over the weekend, opened her eyes and gave a thumbs-up sign.

"She is indeed improving," her uncle, Dean Good of Akron, said today. "We are rejoicing."

"We can hardly believe in nine days how far she's come. When she first went in, I don't think the doctors gave her much hope," Good said.

The elder Good said a breathing tube was removed from his niece on Tuesday "and she's breathing on her own....she's coming along remarkably."

But, Good noted, "we have a lot to work through yet."

Jacy was still listed in critical condition this morning, according to a hospital spokesman.

The young woman had just graduated with honors from Muhlenberg College in Allentown and was returning home with her parents, Jay R. and D. Jean Good, both 58, when the accident happened.

Her older brother, Jared, had driven separately to the ceremonies.

Police said the accident occurred around 4 p.m. that day when a tractor trailer truck driven by Joseph Leonardo Jr., 44, of Hamburg, was traveling north on Route 222.

A westbound minivan, driven by Todd M. Whitt, 18, of Muhlenberg Township, entered the highway at Genesis Drive, police said, causing Leonardo to swerve.

Good, a diesel mechanic, was driving the family station wagon southbound on Route 222. He slammed on the brakes and his car skidded into the turn lane in front of Leonardo's truck.

The truck hit the front end of the minivan on the driver's side and then struck the station wagon.

Leonardo, Whitt and two teenagers in the minivan were also taken to Reading Hospital for treatment after the accident.

Good and his wife of 26 years, an Ephrata Middle School teacher, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said they are still investigating the crash and no charges have been filed.


Staff writer Janet Kelley can be reached at jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026.