Javi Mellafe remains close to her mother’s side as she recovers from serious injuries sustained in car crash | Image by Sofia Basurto/GoFundMe
A Plano woman is recovering from critical injuries after authorities say a suspected drunken driver rear-ended her vehicle early Sunday, causing it to roll and eject her through the sunroof.
Myrna Mellafe was driving near State Highway 121 and Independence Parkway around midnight when 21-year-old Xander Jaymes Smith allegedly struck the back of her vehicle, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Fox 4 KDFW reported. Mellafe was thrown about 40 feet from the vehicle and found unresponsive.
Smith was arrested at the scene and charged with intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury, according to authorities.
Mellafe was transported to Medical City McKinney, where she was treated for a severe brain bleed, a fractured pelvis, a fractured shoulder, and injuries to multiple organs, including her lungs, kidney, and liver, according to her family.
Her 17-year-old daughter, Javiera “Javi” Mellafe, said she learned about the crash after receiving an emergency notification from her mother’s phone. The phone’s GPS location remained stationary for more than 50 minutes, prompting Javiera to ask friends to drive her to the location.
“I immediately ran into the scene,” Javiera said, per Fox 4. “I saw her car. Her car was complete loss, like just completely damaged.”
At the hospital, Javiera said doctors initially prepared the family for the possibility that her mother might not survive.
“I remember just the way they were looking at me and speaking to me just seemed as if they thought she was gonna die that night,” she said.
Family Says Mellafe Is Showing Signs of Improvement
Despite the severity of her injuries, Mellafe has shown signs of progress, according to an Instagram post by her alumni association.
She has opened her eyes, begun talking, and has been taken off a ventilator. She is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday, although her family says she still faces a lengthy recovery from the traumatic brain injury and other injuries.
Javiera, Mellafe’s only immediate family member, is staying at her mother’s bedside as she recovers.
The crash came just as Javiera was preparing to begin her senior year of high school. She planned to miss the first week of classes to remain with her mother and hopes to return to school once Mellafe’s condition allows.
The teenager said her initial anger toward the driver has given way to more complicated emotions.
“I was just so angry at first,” Javiera said. “I was very angry at first, and then I just remember feeling very sad for him, because yeah, like his life is ruined.”
Family Seeks Help With Medical and Legal Costs
The family is seeking financial assistance as Mellafe faces what is expected to be a long recovery and significant medical expenses.
A GoFundMe page has been established to raise money to cover medical and legal costs for Mellafe and her daughter.
“We need all the help we can get financially because she’s a single mom and it’s really just her and I,” Javiera said.
Family members have also asked supporters to share the fundraiser and keep Mellafe in their prayers as she continues recovering.
“We know how strong Myrna is and she will overcome this,” the family said.