Welsh woman seriously hurt in fatal car crash on US road
A WELSH holidaymaker “won’t be able to walk for six months” after a “reckless driver” crashed into her car on a US highway.
Elizabeth Real, 30, was driving on Highway 199 near Selma, Oregon, on November 23 when the incident happened.
At 7.20pm that day Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel were called to the scene of a two vehicle crash.
Following the collision Ms Real, who grew up in Pontypridd, was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center and later flown to Riverbend Hospital in Eugene after sustaining serious injuries.
Her passenger, Kelly Karaba of Arcata, California, was flown to Rogue Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
The driver of the other vehicle, 27-year-old Briana Varela, was taken to a Grants Pass Hospital and then flown for additional treatment to a hospital in Seattle, where she later died.
Ms Real, who is a costume designer and now lives in Croydon, was on the penultimate day of her holiday when the horrific incident took place.
Her father, Tony Real, explained she was due to return to the UK on November 27.
Mr Real, 71, said: “She remarkably.
“She has broken both foot bones. “Both her lower legs are broken and her knee caps have had to be reconstructed.
“I believe she had a minor stroke afterwards also.
“We have been told she will be in a cast for eight more weeks and she has to have more rehab.
“She probably won’t be able to walk is doing for six months, but it looks like she will get through it.”
Mr Real, who lives in Treforest, and Ms Real’s mother, Alex Howell, are now staying in America until their daughter gets better.
The driver of the vehicle which crashed into Ms Real’s car was described by Oregan State Police as being “reckless”.
A statement issued by the force read: “Preliminary investigation revealed that a white 2005 Toyota Corolla, operated by Briana Varela (27) of Rogue River, was traveling southbound on Hwy 199 when for unknown reasons crossed into the northbound lanes of travel and struck a northbound maroon 2018 Nissan Versa, operated by Elizabeth Real of the United Kingdom.
“Varela was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center before being flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, where she was pronounced deceased from injuries sustained in the crash.
“Varela was reported as a reckless driver approximately 16 miles prior to the crash scene.”
Local police investigators said they wanted to speak to anyone who witnessed the driving behavior or the crash.