WALTERVILLE, Ore. – A violent crash that happened on Saturday afternoon in eastern Lane County has left 16-year-old Teagan Merritt, a Thurston High School student and standout athlete, fighting for her life.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 15. Merritt was asleep in the back seat of a Ford Focus when her friend, Shyla Flores, slowed down to make a left turn into Merritt’s driveway. According to Merritt’s family, the car was legally stopped with the blinker on, waiting for traffic to clear, when a full-size Dodge truck collided with the back of their car. The crash was captured on camera by an oncoming driver.
The impact dragged the Focus more than 200 feet into a creek. Merritt’s family said Flores did everything possible in the final seconds, including flashing brake lights, honking, and pulling toward the shoulder, actions they believe saved Merritt’s life.
Flores made it out of the crash unharmed, according to the family.
Merritt is now in critical condition in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury and several other injuries. Her family said she faces a long road to recovery and will require extensive, long-term care. This incident is a devastating turn for a teenager well known in the wrestling world…