Mistaken identity?

Question

i saw this thing on tv last night about two girls, one named Laura McRyan and the other named Whitney(i dont know her last name). they were in a car crash w/ a bunch of other kids, and only one person in the car survived. the police guessed the survivor was Laura, so they called all the parents and stuff. Lauras parents spent 5 restless weeks caring 4 their daughter. it was then they realized that this grl was not theirs at all. it was another grl riding in the car. the police had mistaken the girls' identity. it was really whitney i just wanted to know if u had seen or heard of it before, and what your thoughts r about it. THNKS!

Answer 1

It is tragic for the parents, and all concerned, however I have heard of this scenario on a couple of occasions, so it is not a one time thing.

Answer 2

Just in case you want to know more about Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak you can find out more from the local news stations that covered them (one of those stations being my own). Those websites are www.wzzm13.com and www.woodtv.com. Just type the girls' names in the search bar.

Also the Cerak's and Van Ryn's have co-authored a book together about the incident. I hear it's very moving. You might want to check it out!

Answer 3

that is so freaky! i would cry the rest of my life if my family member or daughter died. even though i don't have a daughter! i would be so sad!!!!!!! and scared. well, i would also scream! wait how did they figure out that she wasn't their daughter? frealy!!!!!!! bye alyssa! see ya tomorrow!! -at molly's b-day party!!!!!

Answer 4

yes. i heard about this. they also have a episode of a case like this on CSI. my thoughts? it's tragic that the families had to go through this. on both sides; first you think your daughter is alive and you stay by her bedside 27/2. then you find out it's not even your daughter. i personally think their is no excuse for this to happen, but then again, i can see HOW it could. the hospital/police could have done DNA testing or something, to see who the girl belonged to. And this isnt the first time nor the last time it has/will happend unfortunatly. GOd Bless

Answer 5

I saw something similar on a recent episode of CSI (maybe CSI NY) but I haven't seen anything real about it.

I googled and found this article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006...

Their names were Whitney Cerak and Laura VanRyn

Answer 6

this story is very true and very unfortunate

It was lauras sister who discover about 2 weeks after the crash that it was actually whitney that had survived...when she found out she remained calm and collected while caring for whitney in stead of breaking down wich i give her major props for that!