CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — A Clovis teen has a new outlook on life after a near-fatal crash last month.
“I never thought that something like this would happen to me and then it did,” Kaylyn Burger said about the accident.
18-year-old Kaylyn Burger has almost made a full recovery after a car crash left her in critical condition last month.
“There’s really no explanation for how well she is doing right now other than she is a miracle,” her mom, Christy Sanchez said.
Clovis Police say Kaylyn’s mini-van ran into a semi-truck near Minnewawa and Shepherd around 9:30 on the morning of January 16.
“It was shock that life could be so fragile that in an instant it is completely different,” Sanchez said. “It was awful.”
Dense fog filled the scene that morning, which investigators say was a factor in the crash.
Police say it appears Kaylyn’s van ran a red light, but the incident remains under investigation.
Kaylyn was taken to the hospital where she spent the next four weeks unsure if she’d ever be able to walk or talk again.
“It was several days maybe a week before she was extubated to where she could be awake and we could try to get some sort of responses from her,” Sanchez recalled.
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Kaylyn can’t remember anything from the day of the crash; even her memory of the hospital is fuzzy, but in the weeks following, she made progress relearning how to walk with the help of medical professionals.
“From what i can remember, it was very hard. Learning how to take my first steps again at 18 years old wasn’t something I thought I’d ever have to do,” Kaylyn said.
As she worked to recover, the community reached out sending her cards filled with kind words.
“Wishing you an easy and speedy recovery. We will be praying for you. Lots of love,” Kaylyn read from a card.
“We’re grateful for all the support that we’ve received from the community, family, friends and strangers,” Sanchez said.
Kaylyn says she has not completely recovered, but can walk as if the accident never happened and is thankful for a second chance at life.
“My outlook on life is like you have to just do things. If you’re scared to do things, just do it,” Kaylyn said.
Kaylyn is still building her strength and working through physical therapy with plenty of doctor’s appointments lined up.
The Buchanan senior hasn’t been able to go back to school yet, but is excited for that moment and all of the other excitement that comes with senior year.
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