Texas teen seriously injured after being hit by a car while walking to a college party

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

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

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

Pace’s mother Ruthie Bekker told the story KXAN: ‘I got a call from her best friend around 11 p.m. And I knew that was probably not a good thing.

‘She’s so lucky. And besides, I think she’s incredibly lucky that she never stopped breathing.”

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

Pace’s younger sister Liana wrote in one GoFundMe post: ‘She has undergone spinal surgery, along with bladder surgery. She received metal plates and screws in her 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 has made significant progress and was finally able to leave intensive care. Bekker said Monday that she hopes her daughter will be transferred to a rehabilitation center in the coming days.

As she endured the pain and fought to regain her strength, Pace has done her best to maintain an upbeat attitude.

Her mother told KXAN, “She can joke about the situation, and her spirit is incredible.

“She’s just an inspiration to all of us.”

Liana told the outlet, “I’m really proud of her. I know she is so strong and I love her so much.”

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

The person behind the wheel during the crash was cooperative with police and had the right of way when Pace was struck, 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 was raised in the first 24 hours of GoFundMe’s existence.

In an Instagram post about Pace’s heartbreaking condition, Liana wrote, “Mia is the smartest and 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 walked to a Texas State University dorm and was hit by a car.

Luis Xavier Alvarez was pacing along the same road when he was hit. His serious injuries resulted in his death.