A Texas teenager was hit by a car while on her way to a fraternity Halloween party, leaving her with horrific injuries and a long recovery ahead.
Mia Pace, 19, was walking on Ranch Road 12, just a few miles west of downtown San Marcos, toward a Texas State University fraternity house when she was struck by the vehicle.
The Oct. 31 accident ruptured his bladder and broke both his legs, his left arm, his back and his nose. It tore his spleen and liver, gave him a concussion and caused internal bleeding.
Pace’s mother, Ruthie Bekker, said KXAN: ‘I received a phone call around 11pm from her best friend. And I knew that probably wasn’t a good thing.
‘He’s very lucky. And I think, on top of that, he’s very lucky to have never stopped breathing.”
Mia Pace, 19, was hit by a car on Halloween night while on her way to a Texas State University fraternity party.
Pace stood up for the first time with the help of hospital staff, according to his GoFundMe.
He underwent multiple surgeries and will need extensive rehabilitation to fully recover from his critical condition.
Pace’s younger sister, Liana, wrote in a GoFundMe post: ‘He underwent spinal fusion surgery along with bladder surgery. Metal plates and screws were placed in his legs and left arm.
“We are grateful that she is stable and alive, but this road to recovery will be a very difficult time.”
But Pace made significant progress and was finally able to leave the intensive care unit. Bekker said Monday that she expects her daughter to be moved to a rehabilitation center in the coming days.
As he endures the pain and fights to regain his strength, Pace has done his best to maintain a high spirit.
Pace has managed to keep her spirits high despite her critical injuries and has been transferred from the ICU.
Pace’s sister described her as “the brightest, most beautiful soul” and created a GoFundMe to support her recovery.
Her mother revealed to KXAN, “She’s able to make jokes about the situation and her spirit is incredible.”
“She is just an inspiration to all of us.”
Liana told the outlet: ‘I’m very proud of her. “I know she is very strong and I love her very much.”
Pace took positive steps on Monday, when a GoFundMe update shared a photo of her standing with the help of hospital staff for the first time since the life-threatening collision.
The person behind the wheel during the crash cooperated with police and had the right of way when Pace was hit, the Texas Department of Public Safety told KXAN.
Pace’s family has received more than $46,000 in donations to support his care and recovery. Liana said $20,000 was raised in the first 24 hours of the GoFundMe’s existence.
Pace suffered several broken bones, a concussion and internal bleeding.
Pace’s recovery will be long and grueling, but his family is relieved that he survived his near-fatal injuries.
In an Instagram post about Pace’s heartbreaking condition, Liana wrote: “Mia is the brightest, most beautiful soul I know and the person I would do anything for, my best friend forever.”
In 2016, KXAN reported a similar incident in which a 19-year-old man was walking to a Texas State University fraternity house and was hit by a car.
Luis Xavier Álvarez was walking along the same path when he was hit. His serious injuries caused his death.