The heartbroken mum of a 17-year-old who fell out of a car sunroof as she messed around with friends said the family’s world has been ‘turned upside down’.
Elexis Robinson, 17, was hanging out of the roof of the teenage friend’s vehicle when they made a sharp turn, causing her to crash to the pavement head first.
She suffered a fractured skull in the incident at a car park in Vancouver, Washington, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Since then, she has suffered three near-fatal brain bleeds.
Elexis now struggles to remember her own name and is described as ‘confused, emotional and disoriented’. The family said it could be a year before they know how much lasting damage has been done.
Mum Alicha Linares said: ‘As a mother, there are no words to describe the fear, heartbreak, and helplessness of watching your child endure something so devastating.
‘In a matter of moments, our entire world was turned upside down.
‘The daughter we love so dearly is now facing an unimaginable medical battle, and our family is desperately hoping, praying, and holding onto every bit of hope for her recovery.’
Alicha has created a GoFundMe page to help with the ‘overwhelming financial burdens’ of Elexis’ care.
Local reports said the car park where the tragic accident happened is known as an area where youngsters go to mess around in their cars.
Alicha said the incident was out of character for Elexis.
She said: ‘She is the one out of my six that I would trust her with my life. I would trust every decision she would make.
‘I was shocked. I would have never expected anything like this of her, ever.’
However, Alicha was reluctant to blame the girl who was driving at the time of the accident.
She added: ‘This girl also made a mistake, too. This is her choice, just as much as it was my daughter’s choice to make a mistake.
‘I want her to learn the consequences of this, but she is a 17-year-old girl as well, and to have her life completely ruined and destroyed, I don’t need two lives like that.’
Charges have not been filed against the girl driving the car, according to local media.
The fundraiser has collected over $3,000 towards a $20,000 target.