Parents of teenagers often dread receiving that phone call saying their child has been in a traffic accident. For a family whose loved one suffers catastrophic injuries, the following weeks and months may be spent in agony, waiting and watching for signs of recovery. One North Carolina family is enduring this painful journey following an accident that left a 16-year-old girl with a traumatic brain injury.
In her junior year of high school, the lacrosse player was riding in the back seat of a friend’s Jeep around 6:30 one evening when another vehicle turned in front of them. The collision left the young girl with a critical head injury. She was the only one involved in the accident who suffered serious injuries. Police believe the driver of the other vehicle may have been impaired, and charges against him are pending.
A family grieves and waits
After three days of keeping vigil at her daughter’s hospital bed, the mother of the girl posted positive news on social media. Her daughter had opened her eyes and was now breathing without the aid of a ventilator. These major milestones are likely just the beginning of the long and arduous healing process that typically follows a brain injury.
The girl’s friends and members of the community have rallied with prayers, vigils and fundraisers to provide support for the family. Unfortunately, tragedies like this are too common. As long as drivers continue to make reckless choices, they place the lives of others in jeopardy.