York County News

Jenn Smiley, a nursing assistant at WellSpan Health, found herself in an unexpected situation while driving home from work. As she approached a turn on Springwood Road near Dallastown, she noticed a car flashing its lights toward her. Instinctively, she continued straight and soon encountered the scene of a severe accident.

Upon arrival, Smiley saw two damaged vehicles and debris scattered across the road. With her background as a volunteer firefighter, she quickly sprang into action alongside her brother-in-law who had also stopped to help. They attempted to open one of the car doors but ultimately broke through the windshield to assist the injured driver inside.

The driver was Zuheil Maldonado, known as Z, who was bleeding and disoriented with multiple injuries. Smiley reassured her until emergency responders arrived to extract Maldonado from the vehicle and transport her to WellSpan York Hospital.

A few days later, while working in a different unit at the hospital where she is pursuing a nursing degree at Jersey College’s School of Nursing at WellSpan Health, Smiley unexpectedly reunited with Maldonado. Recognizing each other from the accident scene brought emotional relief to both women.

During Maldonado's recovery from surgeries for broken legs, wrist, ribs, and a dislocated hip over three weeks in the hospital followed by six weeks in a nursing home—Smiley consistently visited offering encouragement which left an indelible impact on Maldonado who described Smiley as her “guardian angel.”

Maldonado credits divine intervention for surviving without wearing a seatbelt that day: “I’m a believer...God saved me...Her role was to get me help.” She now wears her seatbelt regularly acknowledging how fortunate she feels about surviving such circumstances.

For going beyond expectations during this incident—including maintaining support throughout recovery—Smiley received recognition via WellSpan York Hospital’s Rose Award honoring team members demonstrating exceptional qualities exceeding standard duties.

Reflecting upon their encounter after having helped save someone's life outside work setting Jenn expressed gratitude seeing positive outcomes following critical events like these remarking it reinforced why helping others remains important part personal mission: "If I can help someone then I want."

Maldonado praised continued kindness shown even post-accident stating admiration towards selflessness displayed commenting further: "We need more people like her…That’s mission—it’s in."