A devastating accident during a powerful windstorm in California has left a young woman paralyzed after being struck by a massive tree branch. The incident occurred on May 17 in Santa Rosa, a city located approximately an hour north of San Francisco.
Jasmine Mayer, 22, was enjoying a peaceful afternoon with her best friend near Steele Lane Elementary School when the unexpected happened. As Mayer was knitting and engaged in conversation, a large branch suddenly fell, striking both women.
“It was just an unimaginable incident,” her father, Andy Mayer, recounted to the San Francisco Chronicle. “We’ve talked about it since. There’s no anger. There’s no drunk driver. It was simply an unforeseeable event.”
Jasmine Mayer sustained severe injuries, including a spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae, and broken and bruised ribs. These details were shared on a GoFundMe page established by her close friend, Lauren Kelleher, to support Mayer’s recovery and healing process.
Following the accident, Mayer was promptly transported to the UC Davis Medical Center, where she received immediate medical attention for her grave injuries.
She was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center to be treated for her injuries.
Her lower body is paralyzed, though she is starting to feel ‘some pins–and–needles–type sensation’ in her legs and feet.
As of Friday about $51,800 of a $100,000 goal had been raised to cover Mayer’s care, rehabilitation, mobility aids and new housing.
A massive tree branch fell on Jasmine Mayer, 22, on May 17 in Santa Rosa, about one hour north of San Francisco
Mayer suffered a severe spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae and broken and bruised ribs. She was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center to undergo surgery and treatment
Mayer underwent surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center, where she continues to undergo treatment.
Her father said that doctors found internal bleeding and also treated a blood clot.
‘Her injuries were catastrophic,’ Andy Mayer said.
Mayer underwent surgery on Wednesday to continue treating her wounds, and skin is expected to be grafted from some of the wounded areas.
Plus, doctors will fuse some of Mayer’s disks.
‘It’s nothing unexpected with the severity of her injuries,’ her father added. ‘Her tissues and skin got pretty shredded.’
Mayer’s spinal cord was not completely severed and her father said they were both hopeful she could bounce back.
‘She’s going to work hard on her recovery,’ he added.
Mayer was sitting with her best friend near Steele Lane Elementary School (pictured) when the branch fell on her and caused severe injuries
The National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area forecast winds of up to 60 mph on the weekend of Mayer’s injury (Photo of strong winds in California)
Going forward, Mayer will require a larger and more accessible vehicle.
She will also need new transportation as she adjusts to her new lifestyle after being crushed by the falling branch.
‘Our goal is to get her the best possible equipment,’ her dad Andy said.
He remarked that her positivity had not changed despite the traumatic ordeal.
‘She’s been kind to everyone through the pain,’ he said. ‘She’s been a positive person, and that hasn’t changed at all.’
On the weekend of Mayer’s injury, the National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area had forecast winds of up to 60 miles per hour, according to USA TODAY.
In Santa Rosa, 61–year–old Ralph Harrington died after being hit by a fallen branch.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Kelleher, who is organizing the fundraiser, for further comment.
