Ballard author tells story of Maria Federici’s mother

Maria Federici became a household name in 2004 when a board flew off a rented trailer on I-405 and catapulted through the windshield of her Jeep shattering her face, nearly killing her.

Photo of Federici with former King County Executive Ron Sims (left) and the late King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng on the right.

Since then, many articles have been written about her recovery, her strength and her will to live. She’s gone through numerous reconstructive surgeries, but is permanently blind. After the accident, Washington State enacted “Maria’s Law” which requires drivers to secure loads on their vehicles.

While many are familiar with Federici’s story, Ballard blogger and author Peggy Sturdivant tells the story of Federici’s mom Robin Abel, a woman determined to rebuild her daughter’s life and change road safety laws. Out of Nowhere “is Robin’s story and a tribute to local heroes such as Norm Maleng and heretofore unnamed strangers who stopped along the roadside,” Sturdivant tells us.

Sturdivant and Abel will be holding an author event at The Secret Garden Bookshop (2214 NW Market St.) this Wednesday, July 14th at 7 p.m. The event will include reading and Q & A with the authors and of course the book will be available for sale. (Photos courtesy the authors.)