Hastings family battles new way of life

HASTINGS, Neb. --

On the night of May 2, 2025, three teenagers were allegedly speeding down a portion of West 2nd St. in Hastings, according to court records. Two trucks careened into each other, and were sent in different directions.

One of the pickups hit a home, and the other collided head-on with a mini-van. Jelena Skinner was driving her 12-year-old son, Leon, to an overnight event at school.

“Children do things like that, and we just want to tell them again, we forgive you and we want you to live a good life,” said Robert Skinner, Jelena’s husband. “(We want those teenagers) to be an example for others.”

Forgiveness. Understanding. Robert showing compassion after his family’s world was shaken to the core. Jelena was hospitalized with a coma, a state she remains in to this day, more than 10 months later.

“I think most of the damage was caused not from the traumatic brain injury, I think it’s because of the strokes,” said Robert. “She had four strokes (after the crash).”

A terrible twist in an already unlikely story. Jelena and Robert hail from different countries. Jelena is from Bosnia, and Robert from South Africa. People from two separate continents met on a third, while doing work in Iraq.

“We both supported the U.S. Military as sub-contractors,” said Robert.

The two initially moved to South Africa, before a new home was needed when safety became a concern.

“In those five years, three of our neighbors were murdered.”

Robert wanted to put his love for agriculture to work, so they settled on Hastings, where they have lived for five years. While Robert was working at a cow-calf operation, they patiently anticipated the moment when they could become permanent residents of the United States.

“We waited for that day for so long so that she could work. She was not allowed to work,” said Robert. “We wanted to settle down.”

They chose to make Hastings their home, and the news of residency came in December 2025. Jelena was unable to experience the joy, so Robert and his boys, Leon and Robbie, shared the moment together.

“We got it through the mail” said Leon. “We went and did something with my mom.”

It was a rare glimmer of a smile for the trio, who have had to adjust to the unknown. Leon was also badly injured in the crash.

“He had a lot of surgery, he had a cracked skull,” said his father, Robert. “Severe lacerations over his face, broken bones, broken femur, broken arm, wrist, collarbone. So he was in a wheelchair for six weeks.”

“It was tough being in a wheelchair and not being able to do the things I love,” Leon added.

With the injuries suffered by Leon, and continued care required for Jelena, who is currently at Mary Lanning Hospital as they wait for a spot to open at a nursing home, the Skinners have had to rely on people within Hastings to keep them moving forward.

“From the Hastings Police Department, Hastings Fire and Rescue, our neighbor, parents at school driving the kids, financial donations, the community has been really incredible,” said Robert.

They still need help. Factoring in the current stay at Mary Lanning, on top of where ever she goes next, plus international flights for family members and any other future expenses, the fight is far from over. Robert says any help donated through a fundraising campaign goes directly to medical expenses incurred during Jelena's care.

Even with a negative outlook on Jelena’s future, “The prognosis is not very good, so it’s just basically a miracle that can save her,” Robert says. The family is still hopeful for a positive outcome.

“(Ideally) she would wake up (from her coma) and in the morning I could can just see her on the couch and that my relationship will grow with her,” said Leon. “Through God, anything is possible.”

“She doesn’t have to be physically able to do much, just so that she can recognize her kids and be a part of their lives and talk to them,” Robert says. “That would be perfect for her to be there and be present.

“Be there for them emotionally, and be a mother.”