How tragic identity switch changed two families

Two families forever linked in an incredible case of mistaken identity — tragic for one, miraculous for the other — continue to forge ahead while staying friends and finding meaning in the gift of life.

The TODAY show Thursday revisited the powerful story of the Cerak and Van Ryn families, inextricably linked by a horrific crash three years ago that gripped America with its startling twist. On August 26, 2006, a van carrying five students and a staff member from Taylor University in Indiana collided with a semitrailer.

Only one student survived, and local police made a fateful error, confusing two young women with strikingly similar looks. As a result, the Ceraks were told that their daughter Whitney had died, and the Van Ryns were told their daughter Laura was clinging to life.

For five weeks, Don and Susie Van Ryn stood vigil over the young woman they believed to be their daughter, until she recovered enough to be released from the hospital and admitted to a private care facility. There a therapist asked the patient listed as Laura Van Ryn to write her name, and she wrote “Whitney.”

Meaning in tragedy
But a story that might have been merely shocking became an inspiring one of courage and love as the Cerak and Van Ryn families formed a bond of love and support that still continues three years later. Speaking live on the TODAY set, Whitney Cerak told Matt Lauer she still feels gratitude for the care and love the Van Ryns showed her during her convalescence, and feels compelled to “do something amazing” with her life.

Whitney will start that journey this summer after she graduates from Taylor University, joining her sister Carly in Mombasa, Kenya, to live and work at an orphanage in that African country.

“I am going to do something great, and that will continue for the rest of my life,” Whitney told Lauer.

Whitney was joined on TODAY by her father, Newell Cerak, and Lisa Van Ryn, sister of the late Laura Van Ryn. Lisa told Lauer that the life-altering experience of caring for a woman she believed to be her sister changed her goals in life and her choice of an occupation.

“I greatly enjoyed helping Whitney through her therapy sessions, so I went back to school after the incident and just recently finished up a PTA [physical therapy assistant] program,” Lisa told Lauer, adding, “I would love to work with children in a school somewhere.”

Family ties
Newell Cerak told TODAY the families remain close, even collaborating on a book, “Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope.” The families have gotten together regularly to have dinner and discuss their shared experience. And while Don and Susie Van Ryn are moving from their native Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to the more distant Upper Peninsula, Cerak said the Van Ryns will always be near and dear to his family’s hearts. “They are doing as good as can be expected,” he said. “We so love them.”

TODAY Whitney Cerak (left) plans to travel to Africa to work at a Kenyan orphanage.

While Newell says he is sure Whitney’s May 23 graduation ceremony “will be very emotional” after the family believed they had lost her, the miracle of regaining a daughter is a precious gift that keeps on giving.

“Even today, when I hear her voice on the phone, I still get excited and chills about that,” he told Lauer. “Each day we get that chance to talk with her, it just reminds us again of the amazing blessing that we have.”

Still, residual sadness continues to creep in for Whitney and the Van Ryns. Whitney told Lauer being the only one alive from the horrific crash still gnaws at her. “There’s that survivor’s guilt, I struggle with that.”

Sad anniversary
The third anniversary of Laura’s death comes next week, but sister Lisa says her family doesn’t mark it with elaborate gestures. “We miss her every day — it’s the everyday things you think about more,” she explained.

And Lisa told TODAY she hopes the message of the two strong Christian families still rings out.

Archive Video   A tragic error March 27, 2008: Matt Lauer reports on the sad story of two girls who were in a highway crash and the tragic mistake authorities made. Today show

“The message in our story is one of hope that we have in Jesus,” she said. “We still, like anyone, miss Laura. Those days have been very hard on us. But we are no different than anyone who has lost a loved one.”

Lauer, who interviewed the Van Ryn and Cerak families on TODAY last year and has kept tabs on the families, was visibly moved Thursday when he told Newell, Whitney and Lisa what the story has meant to him.

“I don’t know how long I’ll do this job, but for as long as I do it, I think your families will be the most extraordinary families I’ve ever met,” he said. “I truly mean that.”

To donate financial support to the orphanage in Kenya that Whitney Cerak is working with, use this address:

Gaylord Evangelical Free Church
P.O. Box 493
Gaylord, MI 49734
For the Kenya Kids

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