Snow Camp, NC-- A life just beginning and another cut abruptly short.
An Alamance County family has experienced the full spectrum of emotions over the past couple weeks.
Last Sunday, Megan Mann Riggans, and her husband Casey, hydroplaned and hit a tree on Greensboro Chapel Hill road on their way to the hospital.
Megan was in labor. She died in the wreck but not before emergency crews delivered her son, Will.
"The first time I went in there to see him, he had a lot of lids in his head and he had a ventilator in him."
Even in the intensive care unit, it's clear, baby Will looks like his mom.
"You could see Megan's nose, that's just all you could see through everything was her nose sticking through there."
For Randy Lewis, it's a gentle reminder his niece Megan is gone.
"If losing Megan, I don't see how it could be any worse. I just don't see how it could be any worse. It's just like a part of me is gone and the sad part is, it ain't coming back," said Lewis. "That'll be just one little thing that I have that's close to his mother."
Megan died while doctors delivered Will. Randy says he's their miracle.
"I mean, for whatever reason his heart decided to start after nine minutes. I mean, there was some reason for that," said Lewis. "That kid has meant a whole lot to a whole lot of people."
People all across the country are reaching out to Randy, asking how they can help.
"I can honestly say I am deeply touched by the outpouring of compassion."
"She worked here that Friday, was leaving, that was her last day before her leave of absence. She was looking forward to holding her baby. That's what she shared with us, it's just very devastating," said Mike Terry. He was Megan's boss at the restaurant Hayley Bales Steakhouse in Siler City.
He set up a donation jar in his restaurant. He says the response has been overwhelming.
"We have received a shocking amount of money of what has been put in, especially as difficult as times are," said Terry.
But as unimaginable as they are, Randy isn't losing hope.
"If it does turn out that he's not able to survive; the way we look at it is it's a win-win situation. If he stays here we get him, if he can't stay here, his momma and his granddaddy get him," said Lewis. "We're just thankful."
He's thankful for 22 years with his niece, and each passing moment with his newborn nephew.
"It's a miracle we've had him this long, we were able to touch him and feel him, and some people have been able to hold him, for us, that's a miracle in itself," said Lewis.
Will's dad, Casey, has been moved out of the intensive care unit. He had surgery last Thursday on his broken jaw and fractured skull. Doctors say he will recover and Monday night, he was able to take a few steps.
A fund has been set up in his name at BB&T. Donations can be made at any branch location under the Brian Casey Riggans Fund. A car wash is scheduled for September 22 at O'Reilly in Siler City to raise money for the family.
WFMY News 2