A teenager suffered a devastating injury when her eye ‘expl*ded like a grape’ in a car cr*sh at less than 10 mph. Eighteen-year-old Kylie Dean from Ohio was on her way to school on September 20 when the incident occurred.
Her mother, Kelly, 38, explained that Kylie was dazzled by the sun, causing the car to start rolling into a parked vehicle at a stop sign. Unfortunately, because Kylie was seated close to the steering wheel, the low-speed collision resulted in her head striking it. Doctors reported that the impact caused her right eye socket to ‘shatter’ and her eye to b*rst.
In addition to the eye injury, Kylie sustained a broken nose, damaged teeth, and other facial injuries. The crash also resulted in the loss of her iris and lens from her right eye, along with a torn tear duct.
Mother’s Quick Response Leads to Discovery of Daughter’s Severe Injury
Kylie’s mother, Kelly, rushed to the scene after receiving an alert on her phone, only to find her daughter and the car covered in blood.
Kylie was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery to repair her damaged eye. After several days in recovery, she was discharged on September 25. Unfortunately, she has lost vision in her right eye and is now awaiting prosthetic eye components from a specialist. She will also need dental implants to address the damage to her teeth.
The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of Kylie’s upcoming surgeries, with her mother noting that at least two more operations are necessary.
Kelly’s Plea for Her Daughter’s Recovery
“She’s only 18,” Kelly said, “just starting her life, and she desperately needs her teeth. As a musician, having the proper structure in her mouth is vital.
“Our insurance is decent, but they won’t cover the dental implants, labeling them as cosmetic rather than essential. The dental work alone will cost at least $20,000.
“Once we’ve handled that, we can proceed with getting measurements for her left eye. These will be sent to a company in Germany that specializes in prosthetic eye components.
“Her right eye and the surrounding muscles will have to relearn how to function, but there’s hope.
“Securing the funds for these surgeries would mean everything to her. It’s a crucial part of who she is and what she’s worked so hard for. Without this, she risks losing that.
“All I want is to help her regain her future.”
Kylie’s Reflection on Her Injury and Future
Kylie reflected on the aftermath of the crash, admitting she didn’t grasp the severity of her injuries at first. “I’m still shocked it turned out to be this serious,” she said.
“Having the GoFundMe and raising the money for these surgeries would help me get back to who I was before. I’ve lost so much because of this, and all I want is to be able to do the things I love again.
“If I don’t get the implants and reconstructive surgery, I won’t be able to play instruments, act, or even drive. It’s essential for my future—it’s everything I do and everything I hope to do.”
You can support Kylie’s GoFundMe [here].