What was supposed to be a wedding day celebration took an unexpected turn when the groom was seriously injured in a crash while preparing for the ceremony.
Kapri DeRamus was planning to marry Tyasia Thomas in Altamonte Springs on Sept. 5 when, according to the couple’s legal team, a vehicle crossed into his lane on East Altamonte Drive and struck his car head-on.
“Out of nowhere, man, I just got struck by a car,” DeRamus said.
DeRamus was extricated from the vehicle and taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. He suffered two broken arms, a broken jaw, a broken rib and a significant laceration to his knee, according to a news release from his attorneys.
At the time of the crash, Thomas was getting ready for the wedding. She had just had her hair and makeup done and was getting into her dress when she received a missed call from DeRamus’ sister.
“I immediately just dropped everything and got in the car,” Thomas said. “I mean, wedding dress and all, I just got in the car and went there.”
The couple’s family and wedding guests gathered at the hospital, waiting for updates on DeRamus’ condition.
After DeRamus was stabilized, the couple decided they still wanted to get married that night. Instead of exchanging vows at their planned event venue, they held the ceremony in a multipurpose room at ORMC—with DeRamus still in a hospital bed.
DeRamus’ grandfather, who was in town to officiate the wedding, performed the ceremony.
Hospital nurses helped with some of the wedding details, including a bouquet Thomas said was made from plants at the hospital.
“When I look at the pictures of his car and I see where he was sitting, it just looks like God wrapped his arms around him in that front seat,” Thomas said. “It could have been so much worse.”
DeRamus was released from the hospital after the wedding, according to the release.
The crash remains under investigation by the Altamonte Springs Police Department. The couple’s attorneys, Greg Francis and Christina Brooks of Osborne, Francis & Pettis Law Firm, said they are evaluating their legal options.
The newlyweds are also raising money to help offset expenses related to the crash. A GoFundMe has been established HERE.
As for their honeymoon, DeRamus said he has something special planned—including the possibility of a trip to Capri, Italy.