Mom Credits God For Daughter's Incredible Recovery After Horrific Car Accident
May 02, 2018
In a moment of sheer terror, Dona listened helplessly over speakerphone as a tractor-trailer side-swiped the car her oldest daughter, Malina Richardson, was driving. But after leaning on their faith, Dona is now praising God for her daughter's miraculous car crash recovery!
Malina Richardson, along with her younger sister, Maya, headed home for the weekend from Radford University. They had their mom, Dona, on speakerphone when the unthinkable happened.
Listening In On A Terrible Crash
A tractor-trailer cut across the interstate, unexpectedly swerving into Malina's lane. Malina jerked the wheel as the truck closed in, sending the vehicle towards an embankment.
"I just remember saying, 'Jesus take the wheel,'" Malina said.
RELATED: Family Believes Angel Protected Baby Boy When Train Crashes Into Car While He's Trapped Inside
The tractor-trailer continued on, apparently unaware of the accident they caused. But poor Dona listened in through the whole, terrifying ordeal, along with her 15-year-old daughter, Alycia, who was riding with mom.
They heard screams, what sounded like tinfoil crumpling, gurgling, and then. . . agonizing silence.
"To hear your child scream, you're like okay, I’ve got something,” Dona said. “To hear them gurgling -- you know they're fighting to stay alive, but then to hear deafening silence- it's a feeling no parent should have…”
[caption id="attachment_52908" align="alignnone" width="750"] Credit: WTVR News[/caption]Dona listened to every heartwrenching sound, screaming at her girls to wake up and fight -- all while 15-year-old Alycia frantically dialed 911.
The Aftermath Of A Horrifying Car Crash
When Malina's car hit the embankment, the impact sent it flying into the air. The force threw Malina out of the vehicle and onto the ground, where the car then came crashing down on her.
Terrified and dazed, Maya jumped out of the vehicle and screamed for help. She ran around the car, looking for Malina. She found her underneath the car with hot oil leaking right onto her sister's face. Somehow, Maya managed to lift the vehicle off of her sister and pulled Malina out.
An ambulance rushed Malina to VCU Medical Center. She suffered from critical burns, multiple fractures, and internal injuries including a punctured lung.
RELATED: A Young Couple Was Spared From A Horrible Crash And It Was All God
Trauma doctors warned Malina's family to prepare for the worst. But they held onto faith, praying for the best. They'd already seen God's work during the accident.
"Miracles have happened - you know - God is so good,” Malina said.
Miracles Pave The Way For An Amazing Car Crash Recovery
For starters, when the car went airborne, Maya made a split-second call to unclick hers and her sister's seatbelts. It's a decision she can't even quite explain herself. But it was clearly a divine prompting.
"There was no time for decisions," Dona said. "This was God."
[caption id="attachment_52911" align="alignnone" width="750"] Credit: Youtube/VCU Health[/caption]Witnesses say the car shot up as high as the tree line after hitting the embankment. Because Maya undid the seatbelts, the girls were tossed backward as the car rocketed into the air. Maya flew into the back, while Malina rocketed out of the vehicle.
It sounds bad. But it was just what needed to happen to give Malina a fighting chance. As her Chevy Cavalier hit the ground, the impact crushed the driver's side. Emergency crews are convinced Malina would have been crushed, too, had she remained in the driver's seat.
RELATED: Biker Knows Guardian Angels/Divine Intervention Saved Him In Crash
Miraculously, Maya only broke a toe in the accident. By some divine power, she was able to lift the car off of her sister and wipe the hot oil off her face. Doctors say this prevented the worst burns.
"If it weren't for Maya, I probably wouldn't be able to see or be here right now,” Malina said, “because she pulled me from underneath the car and saved me and she wiped the oil off from around my eyes."
Dr. Michel Aboutanos was one of the doctors who tended to Malina when she arrived at VCU Medical Center. The damage from the crash was severe and at first, the girl's vital signs got worse.
"That's one thing I remember vividly was that this could go really bad and has the potential to do that," he recalls.
But the medical team kept working and God did the rest.
God Credited With Amazing Car Crash Recovery
Malina's car crash recovery surprised her doctors. Instead of getting worse, as they feared, she stabilized and started getting better. After a month of surgeries and painful treatments, Malina was able to head home in a wheelchair -- an amazing feat given her injuries!
About a week later, the first responders from the day of the crash picked Malina up at her home in Ashland, Virginia and transported her to Radford University for her graduation ceremony. Malina, a real-life overcomer, crossed the stage on crutches to accept her diploma.
[caption id="attachment_52915" align="alignnone" width="750"] Credit: Youtube/VCU Health / WTVR[/caption]Of course, her car crash recovery was far from over. There would be more treatments and lots of physical therapy to try and get Malina back on her feet for good.
Celebrating Real-Life Miracle Of Car Crash Recovery
As the one-year anniversary of the accident approached, Malina's family honored what they call her second birthday -- the day God brought her back.
"I want to think about the day she was reborn, the day that God came down from Heaven to earth and brought her back to us and she is living," Dona said.
And they found there was a lot to celebrate.
RELATED: Fatal Car Crash Survivor Credits Prayer As She Heals
Before the accident, running was a huge part Malina's life. The track and field athlete worked tirelessly in physical therapy with the goal of regaining mobility. A year later, she was not only walking again but running, too.
"I feel great, feels good to be running again," Malina said.
She's also back behind the wheel. After such a traumatic event, it's no small feat that Malina can now drive without having a panic attack.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 17 True Inspirational Stories of Real-Life Overcomers
Malina's real-life overcomer story has inspired so many, and she was even honored by VCU Health at their Shining Knight Gala. And through it all, the faithful family has used the horrific accident and Malina's miraculous car crash recovery to glorify God!
WATCH: Family Thanks God For Miraculous Car Crash Recovery
h/t: WTVR
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.