Texas teen is severely injured after being struck by car while walking to frat house party

A Texas teenager was hit by a car on her way to a fraternity Halloween party, leaving her with horrifying injuries and a long recovery ahead.

Mia Pace, 19, was walking on Ranch Road 12, just miles west of downtown San Marcos, towards a Texas State University frat house when she was struck by the vehicle. 

The October 31 accident ruptured her bladder and broke both her legs, left arm, back and nose. It lacerated her spleen and liver, gave her a concussion and caused internal bleeding.

Pace’s mother Ruthie Bekker told KXAN: ‘I received a phone call at about 11pm from her best friend. And I knew that was probably not a good thing.

‘She’s so lucky. And I think in addition to that, she’s incredibly lucky that she never stopped breathing.’

Pace stood for the first time with the help of hospital staff, according to her GoFundMe

She underwent multiple surgeries and will need extensive rehabilitation to fully recover from her critical condition.

Pace’s younger sister Liana wrote in a GoFundMe post: ‘She had a spinal fusion surgery along with a bladder surgery. She got metal plates and screws put into her legs and left arm.

‘We are grateful that she is stable and alive, but this road to recovery will be a very hard time.’

But Pace has made significant progress and was finally able to leave the intensive care unit. Bekker said on Monday that she hopes her daughter will be moved to a rehabilitation center in the coming days. 

While enduring the pain and fighting to regain her strength, Pace has done her best to maintain an uplifted attitude. 

Pace has managed to keep her spirts high despite her critical injuries and has been moved from the ICU 

Pace’s sister described her as ‘the brightest most beautiful soul’ and started a GoFundMe to support her recovery 

Her mother revealed to KXAN: ‘She’s able to make jokes about the situation, and her spirit’s incredible.

‘She’s just an inspiration to all of us.’ 

Liana told the outlet: ‘I’m really proud of her. I know she’s so strong and I love her so much.’

Pace made positive strides on Monday, when a GoFundMe update shared a photo of her standing up with the help of hospital staff for the first time since the life-threatening collision.

The person behind the wheel during the accident was cooperative 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 her care and recovery. Liana said $20,000 were raised with the first 24 hours of the GoFundMe’s existence. 

Pace suffered from several broken bones, a concussion and internal bleeding 

Pace’s recovery will be long and straining, but her family is relieved she survived her nearly-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 of a 19-year-old walking to a Texas State University frat house and being struck by a car.

Luis Xavier Alvarez was walking down the same road as pace when he was hit. His severe injuries resulted in his death.