Hello, my name is Lilith. I'm 26 years old and a mother to a 5-year-old boy named Ezra. I have a cat named Poyo, and my partner's name is Joseph. I am a shift manager at a Potbelly in the Twin City metro.

On Tuesday, August 19th at around 1:50 pm, I was on my way to work traveling east on I-94 when an unknown black sedan crossed over two lanes to the far left suddenly in the middle of busy rush hour traffic and caused me to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting them. Unfortunately, I lost control of the vehicle and ended up spinning out in the middle of the highway. My car slammed into the side of a semi going 70 mph, crushing my car halfway under the trailer. When I bounced back out, I was facing oncoming traffic. The entire front half of my vehicle was crushed, the frame and windshield caved in on me and rested less than a foot away from my face, causing abrasions on my cheek and shoulder. I was unable to open the car door. I also couldn't move my right ankle at all.

The driver that caused the accident fled the scene, and unfortunately, there is no legal route I can take against them for their reckless actions that almost cost me my life because of the lack of traffic cameras and witness statements.

When the ambulance came and brought me to the hospital, they did an X-ray on my foot and determined I have an acute avulsion fracture in my foot, meaning one of the ligaments in my ankle got pulled so tight it broke away from the bone in my foot it was attached to and took some of the bone with it. The doctor told me these types of injuries are a lot more painful than your typical bone fractures and can take longer to heal on average. Because of this injury and because I no longer have a vehicle to get to work or to get my son to school, I need help keeping up with monthly bills, Uber rides to and from work once I'm a little more mobile, and groceries and household items such as toilet paper and shampoo. Anything you're able to contribute will go directly to these causes while I am out of work is greatly appreciated.

I'm incredibly lucky to be alive. For my family, for my son, for my cat, and my partner. I'm so grateful to my parents and grandparents for helping me get to doctor's appointments. Tell people you love them and hold them close as often as you can. Your whole life could change in just a moment.