Missouri mother, 36, left fighting for her life after being hit by drunk driver during St Patrick's Day celebrations

A 36-year-old mother is now fighting for her life after being hit by a car Saturday night as she walked home with friends from a St. Patrick's Day event.

Lindsay Jaco, a mother of two, was walking along the shoulder of a highway in Cottleville, Missouri shortly before 10pm on Saturday night when a 59-year-old woman hit her from behind, leaving her critically injured.

The driver was identified as Antoinette Bayless and was arrested on suspicion of DWI, though she has since been released, according to local reports.

There were reportedly three other DUI arrests and several assaults that occurred at the town's holiday event this year. 

Jaco suffered a severe head injury that has caused bleeding in her brain. She was unconscious when she was taken to the hospital.

Mom Lindsay Jaco, 36, was severely injured over the weekend when she was hit by a car while walking home from a St. Patrick's Day celebration

The mother of two suffered a serious head injury, including internal bleeding. Though doctors say she was showing signs of improving Monday and was able to come off the ventilator

Jaco's mother, Kelly Heineneyer, says the situation has been devastating for her family.

'We’re still pulling for her and praying for her, and helping her get through this, and God willing, she will,' she said.

The young mother remained in critical condition at the start of the week, but was showing signs of improvement such that doctors were able to remove her from a ventilator and she was able to communicate with her family.

Her sister, Madison Ruzicka said: 'She’s a great mom of her two little babies, she’s just trying to pull through for her kids.'

A friend of Jaco's established a GoFundMe for the mother's long road to recovery. The page has so far raised a little over $12,000.

According to the page, Jaco is 'currently receiving care at Mercy hospital.'

'While she’s making progress, the coming days are crucial. She’s surrounded by her family and friends as she continues to fight. Donations are not expected but certainly appreciated.' 

In the wake of the terrible incident, some in the city of fewer than 6,000 people wonder if more can be done to keep attendees safe during annual St. Patrick's Day activities.

The city's annual St. Patrick's Day event was attended by 20,000-30,000 people, the largest crowd to attend in years.

The event is not sponsored by the city, and is organized by several businesses.

Jaco's friends launch a GoFundMe to help offset the cost of her lengthy hospital stay

Dave McCune, the Cottleville Police Chief, said this is the first time he's ever heard of such an incident taking place during the holiday that generally revolves around drinking.

He added that the department is looking into a handful of changes that can be made in the future.

'We could absolutely shut Highway N [where the crash took place] down, and that’s something we’re looking at moving forward, but there’s a lot of things that come into play with that,' he said.