Book chronicles one woman's life after tragic 1991 train wreck at Tokio claims her fiance

Tragedy strikes families in all different ways, and on Oct. 20, 1991, Sonya Elliott experienced the loss of loved one in a way she can never forget.

Elliott and her fiancé, Mark Overholt, left their wedding shower in Spokane and started the trip back home.

Neither made it home that day, because a train struck their car at the train crossing on Tokio Road near Ritzville. Overholt died instantly and the impact ejected Elliott from the vehicle, leaving her with extensive injuries. The cause of the accident is unknown, but the crossing did not have guards and a major dust storm had been rolling through the area.

EMTs transported Elliott by ambulance to East Adams Rural Hospital, where Life Bird then took her to Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane. Elliott’s injuries included a shattered right arm, broken femur and internal injuries, such as a lacerated spleen, punctured lung, and damage to her liver and kidneys.

During Elliott’s stay in the ICU, her parents and doctors attempted to tell her about the death of her fiancé, but it took nearly a week for Elliott to comprehend the information. The reality and sadness went deeper than the loss of her beloved; it also put a major halt to her career.

Other than Overholt, Elliott had two other loves, basketball and modeling. Elliott attended Eastern Washington University on an athletic scholarship where she played a starting role on the basketball team for four years.

Many of Elliott’s records still stand today, as she is listed in the top ten for the most assists in a single season in 1988 and the most career games played from 1985-1988. Elliott is in the top five for most assists and the most steals during her career.

But Elliott’s talents went deeper than just basketball. She received the BCS Scholar-Athlete award in 1988 and received the BCS All-Academic award in both 1987 and 1988.

When Elliott became a senior in college, she also began modeling. She had been filming a national commercial for Soloflex when Overholt proposed, a commercial that she saw over and over again during her stay in the hospital.

On Oct. 9, 2011, nearly 20 years exactly from the day of her tragic accident, Elliott published her book, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love and Basketball. It took Elliott nearly 10 years to complete the book, and it tells the story of her recovery after the accident.

“I have two different types of writing, initially, my mom gave me a journal. Journaling was really helpful in my recovery emotionally. All of that was separate from writing the book,” said Elliott. “I didn’t start writing the book for a couple years. I waited until when I was ready to write a good book, more than just an emotional book.”

During her recovery, Elliott continued to journal and work slowly at gaining her ability to play basketball again. Basketball had always been the one thing that made Elliott happy, and is also is what helped to save her.

“There was a time when I didn’t know if I was going to be able to walk. As soon as I started getting better, I had the goal of dribbling a basketball. I never thought I would be playing again,” said Elliott. “But I’m 45 and still playing. If its something you love, its something that helps you to keep going.”

The small victories kept Elliott going, eventually letting her continue her life as a basketball player and a model. Elliott’s strength and determination as an athlete helped her to recover from the extensive injuries of the accident, and regain the athleticism she had before the crash.

Today, Elliott is a basketball coach at West Seattle High School, an author, a model, and most importantly, a mother. Elliott battled her grief by journaling, regaining her ability to play basketball and to continue her modeling career.

Jason, a college friend who also played basketball, reunited with Sonya after the accident and they eventually fell in love. In 1994, Sonya married Jason and they have two children, Charli and Cass, and currently live in Seattle.

Elliott’s book tells the story of her journey through recovery and how she found hope in her life, even when nothing seemed like it would ever get better. It also tells the story of how Sonya and her husband Jason fell in love, and the difficulties that come with falling in love after such a tragic loss.

A portion of the proceeds from book sales is given to various charities that Elliott supports and is connected to in some way. At the top of the list is the Mark Overholt Sports Memorial scholarship.

“Mark’s scholarship, his family and friends started that,” said Elliott. “Every year, I like putting money towards that because it goes to student athletes. It expanded into a great non-profit and helps support young athletes.”

Another organization, the Marvin Thomas Fund, helps provide a fun educational program for children that encourages and assists them in earning better grades in school. It also helps to put together sports clinics and events for children to participate in.

The Healing Center is a non-profit corporation in Seattle that focuses on grief-support services for all age groups and families. Elliott attended an event there when she moved back to Seattle after her accident, and continues to support the organization.

“When I moved back to Seattle, it was just the beginning of the Healing Center. I went to an event for young widows but everyone was twice my age, it wasn’t the right situation. But it did help show me I needed to continue with my life,” said Elliott. “Today, they’ve expanded to deal with all different age groups. I’ve worked with the Healing Center and talked with middle school kids, I like to support them.”

The other charity is the Melissa Erickson Foundation, a group that helps raise money for ill or injured former athletes that cannot afford their medical expenses. Elliott played basketball in a lot of the same leagues that Erickson did, and they have many mutual friends.

When it comes to dealing with grief, Elliott knows basketball helped her regain hope, but it is different for everyone. “It’s hard, it’s difficult to be in that situation. But my best advice is to seek support, whether it’s family or groups, just have support. I found writing to be very helpful for me, and finding something that you are passionate about helps you,” said Elliott.

“It’s not easy, but just believe things can get better. At least for me, when I thought it wasn’t going to be okay, and I didn’t think they ever would, it was. There can be good, and there is always hope,” said Elliott.

Elliott regularly visits Eastern Washington University, and hopes that at some point this spring, she can stop in Ritzville to meet Bruce Benzel. Benzel, a fireman during the time of Elliott’s accident, had been one of the first responders on the scene.

“This year, Bruce Benzel contacted me and had found out about my book. I would love to meet him, because he saved my life. I usually just pass through, but I want to stop in to see him, and say thank you,” said Elliott.

Back on the Court can be purchased on http://www.amazon.com, at the Eastern Washington bookstore, or on Elliott’s website, http://www.sonyaelliott.com. Also visit the Sonya Elliott website for more information about Elliott and her book.