Braverman girls expected to recover

MINNEAPOLIS -- Two girls involved in a four-vehicle accident Wednesday that claimed the life of their mother are expected to recover from their injuries, a Children's Hospitals and Clinics spokeswoman said today.

Nichelle Braverman, 12, and Victoria Braverman, 9, were airlifted to the hospital with severe injuries. They were passengers in a vehicle driven by their mother, 30-year-old Georgina Braverman. Georgina Braverman was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Also in the vehicle was her son, 2-year-old Ronald Braverman. He was treated at St. Joseph's Medical Center and released.

Georgina Braverman and her three children were driving into Brainerd in a Jeep Cherokee about 7:30 a.m. on County Road 3 when, on the bridge crossing the Mississippi River near Potlatch, they were struck head-on by a Toyota sport utility vehicle driven by Michelle Ray, 24. Ice on the bridge is believed to have been the cause of the accident.

Michelle Ray and her 8-month-old daughter, Karlie, were treated at St. Joseph's Medical Center and released.