- Camryn Hereage, 23, has been on a ventilator since a tragic accident last month that killed her best friend and roommate.
- A young woman who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident spent two months in the ICU and underwent multiple surgeries to recover.
A 23-year-old Dallas TikToker who was the victim of a hit-and-run that killed his best friend in February was miraculously taken off a ventilator for the first time since the accident.
Camryn Hereage was seriously injured in the crash that injured five people and killed her roommate and friend Sarah House.
While their car was waiting at a red light, a Ford pickup truck driven by an extremely intoxicated woman collided with them, causing a chain reaction.
Helliage had been on a ventilator for nearly two months until last week.
Hereage's mother, Shirley Campanello, said she had always prepared for the worst, but her daughter had overcome many hardships.
She feared the worst as she watched her daughter be wheeled into a six-hour surgery, which ended up lasting just 90 minutes.
“I knew she was gone. I knew it because he (the doctor) was fasting… But it was good news, not bad news.” she told Fox 4 News.
Since the tragic accident, Heliage has undergone brain surgery, heart surgery, and several other surgeries in between.
The newspaper reported that doctors at Methodist Dallas Medical Center did not expect Hereage to do so well after his harrowing experience following the accident.
“Ninety-eight percent of people wouldn't have made it, but she did,” her mother said.
Mr Heliage continues to recover but has not yet been informed that his friend did not survive.
Her friends stop by to visit, but her mother wonders why they're coming without Sarah.
She said, “There seems to be doubt in my eyes.” But her family feels “Sarah is pushing her forward” after a grueling recovery.
Mr Heliage still has a tube placed in his throat to help him breathe. Doctors also said they did not yet fully understand the extent of the young woman's brain damage.
Even simple movements may need to be relearned. But the family remains hopeful that Kamryn will one day be able to return home.
“Several people told us this was the best thing we could do. It was almost certain she would be ventilator dependent. It was hope. It was all we had. “I did,” said the mother.
Kamryn will spend at least two more months in the hospital before being transferred to a rehabilitation center.
The suspect in the crash, 27-year-old Carmen Guerrero, remains in the Dallas County Jail.
After the fatal accident, witnesses said they saw Guerrero running from the scene. She currently faces several charges, including manslaughter.
She was arrested 11 days after the crash, and detectives found a wallet in her car.
The accident occurred just two blocks from the apartment Ms. Helliege shared with Ms. House, within a 35 mph zone.
Helliage's uncle confirmed early last week that his niece was showing positive signs of development.
“Camryn has been breathing on her own for over 24 hours!” he wrote on Facebook.
He added: “A speech therapist will be visiting soon to assess his ability to use voice control.”
“This step may cause her to try to talk and, if successful, close the tracheostomy.
“Additionally, there is a hopeful outlook that Camryn will be able to transition to a regular room within the next week or so.
“All of these developments are positive signs of Camryn's progress. We appreciate your continued support as we embrace this good news.”
House is being remembered with a GoFundMe that has raised more than $36,000 so far in memory of her “bright spirit and contagious laugh.”
“Sarah was known for her caring personality and unwavering desire to make those around her happy,” Sarah's loved ones said last month.
“Her kindness and caring attitude touched the lives of many people and left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.”
