LIBERTY — Purple will be the color of the day in Liberty, Canfield and Struthers schools in support of an educator hospitalized after a traffic crash.

The crash last Friday morning that sent four people to the hospital, including a Liberty educator, has caught the attention of some of Mahoning County’s school districts.

Jessica Kohler, 42, of Canfield, the principal of Blott Guy PK-6 School, was critically injured.

The crash that involved two sport utility vehicles happened on state Route 46 between Kirk Road and Shields Road when a vehicle driven by Dylan Walters went left of center, crashing into Kohler’s vehicle head on, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Four people, including Walters’ two children, were involved — and one of the children also remains in critical condition.

Both children were taken to Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron. Walters and one of the children was released from the hospital. The crash remains under investigation.

Liberty schools Superintendent Andrew Tommelleo said Kohler’s condition is progressing.

“We are getting better news each day, and it appears that she is progressing well,” Tommelleo said.

The district announced on its website that staff and students are encouraged to wear purple in a show of solidarity.

It’s her favorite color and Pamela McCurdy, Kohler’s cousin and an employee of the school district, said wearing purple is a fitting way to show everyone’s support. Assistant Principal Andrew Scarmack also said wearing purple is a great sign.

“We wanted to find some way to show our support, and we came up with this,” Scarmack said. “We’re wearing purple because it’s her favorite color.”

Scarmack said Kohler is a light in the school. He said she’s an inspirational leader and leads the school with compassion.

“She has touched so many lives in the district,” Scarmack said.

McCurdy said Kohler has a “kids-first” attitude.

“That’s her No. 1 priority,” McCurdy said.

He added that Kohler also is an inspiration to the community.

“She’s very passionate and loving. She lights up a room when she walks in, and the energy she possesses feeds the teachers and students,” Scarmack said.

McCurdy noted that two other school districts, Canfield and Struthers, will be participating in the event as well. She said they will be sharing pictures on social media with the hashtag #PrayersForJessica. These school districts are involved because Kohler’s children attend Canfield schools, and Kohler graduated from Struthers.

Just over a month ago, the district participated in a similar event for a first-grade teacher and her battle with COVID-19. The district wore yellow for the teacher, Darnelle Clark, to show its support.

“We wore yellow for Darnelle, and it kind of rolled into wearing purple for Jessica,” McCurdy said.

McCurdy also started a GoFundMe account to help with medical bills and other related expenditures. The goal was to raise $5,000 and in one day, that goal was doubled with more than $10,600 raised.

The description of the account says: “Jessica’s road to recovery will be extensive and will require her to be off work for some time.”

McCurdy said the amount of support has been tremendous, from donations to the GoFundMe account to the strong prayer support the family is receiving

“It’s amazing. It’s absolutely amazing,” McCurdy said.

nhawthorne@tribtoday.com