Dominique Wiebe

Aug. 21, 2024, began as a normal day for Dominique Wiebe. But as she was driving to work from her home in Altona, Man., she was rear-ended by a pickup truck, causing her vehicle to spin into oncoming traffic, colliding with another pickup truck directly behind the driver’s seat.

When she was told STARS was on the way, she knew something serious had happened.

“I lost consciousness,” Wiebe said, trying to recall that Wednesday afternoon. To this day, she doesn’t fully remember the accident. 

“By the time I had gained consciousness, my arm was in a sling and I was in a neck brace,” said Wiebe. ​“All the people surrounding me asked if I knew where I was, what day it was, what my name was; it was clear to me I was in a car accident, but I was not aware of how severe the accident was or how severe my injuries were.”

While Wiebe’s memory of her accident remains unclear, the STARS responders clearly stand out in her mind.

“Their calmness and confidence made me feel very safe and that I was in the best hands,” she said, referring to her air medical crew members. ​“They were very good at keeping me talking and staying positive.”

During the flight from the accident scene to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre, STARS responders checked Wiebe for internal bleeding and spinal injuries. Luckily, there was no damage. 

While Wiebe was released from the hospital seven hours after she arrived, her recovery journey was much longer than she expected. She dealt with nausea, dizziness, memory loss, and cognitive deficits for weeks and was later diagnosed with a severe head injury. 

Though she still faces some challenges, Wiebe said being able to walk into the STARS Winnipeg base in 2025 and thank the crew was one of the most incredible experiences of her life.

“Everyone was so genuinely happy to see me. You could feel the pride and passion in that room — it’s a team that truly loves what they do and understands the impact they make,” said Wiebe.

For almost a year now, Wiebe has given back to STARS to show her appreciation to the team that provided incredible care and got her to the hospital quickly. She donates, purchases STARS merchandise, and participates in events and fundraisers. 

Wiebe not only feels a responsibility to give back to the STARS community but is proud to do so.

“Giving back to STARS comes from a deep sense of gratitude,” she said. ​“In one of the most vulnerable moments of my life, they were there for me without hesitation. Their generosity truly makes a difference, and I’m deeply thankful for every person who helps keep STARS in the air and ready when it matters most.”