A young couple from Pleasant Grove is facing an unimaginable challenge after 23-year-old Lissette Taylor was critically injured in a severe car accident, leaving her in a coma for two weeks.
The crash occurred on January 17, and Lissette’s husband, Jared Taylor, has been by her side ever since. While she has shown signs of improvement, her responses remain inconsistent.
“Last Thursday, she started waking up a little and was able to nod and shake her head when I asked questions,” Jared shared. “I asked if she knew who I was, and she nodded—one of the happiest moments I’ve had since the accident.”
Dashcam Footage Captures the Wreck
According to Jared, dashcam footage of the crash shows a car slowing down before suddenly accelerating and slamming into the back of the Tesla carrying Lissette and her five-month-old son. At the time, they were at a complete stop. Jared wasn’t in the vehicle but received a devastating call from his brother-in-law informing him of the wreck.
By the time Jared arrived at the scene, Lissette had already been rushed to the hospital. His infant son remained in the car but was soon taken to the hospital by Jared’s parents. Fortunately, the baby was unharmed.
A Long Road to Recovery
At the hospital, doctors delivered grim news: Lissette had suffered bleeding on the brain and was unresponsive, showing no reaction to even painful stimuli. Surgeons initially planned to drill a hole in her skull to relieve pressure, but just 45 minutes later, they observed small movements and decided against the procedure.
Jared recalled the uncertainty of those early days, sharing how there were fears she might never wake up. But after a week, small signs of improvement appeared. “She started reacting to pain,” Jared said. Another week later, she began to wake up slightly, offering a glimmer of hope.
However, progress has been unpredictable. “Some days she’s doing alright, and other days, there’s no response at all,” Jared explained.
A Love Tested by Tragedy
The couple met two years ago through a dating app and married just over a year later. Jared describes Lissette as “awkward, funny, a little bit of a nerd—always happy.” Her bright personality was the perfect complement to his shy nature.
Now, he struggles with the loneliness of not having his best friend by his side. “We used to talk every day about everything. Now, there’s just no one to talk to,” he admitted.
Despite the difficulties, small moments keep him going. One of the most significant occurred when Jared’s aunt, a hospital employee, checked in on Lissette one night. She called Jared, letting him know that Lissette was awake and trying to say ‘I love you.’
“That just made me happy, gave me hope,” he said.
Support for Lissette’s Recovery
Doctors remain optimistic about Lissette’s recovery but cannot predict how long the process will take. Meanwhile, friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family with medical expenses and other unexpected costs.
For those wanting to help, donations can be made to the fundraiser here.
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