Maria and Desere were driving from Florida to Oklahoma to pick up Desere's son with Maria’s young daughter, Aria, when they were involved in a devastating car accident on I-95 near St. Augustine. While trying to change lanes to avoid a speeding car, their vehicle was clipped from behind. This caused them to hydroplane, flip three times, crash through a guardrail, and land upside down in oncoming traffic.

Both of them acted quickly, dropping from their seatbelts to save Aria from the backseat. Moments later, another vehicle struck them again while Maria was still in the car. Her leg was pinned, her ankle nearly detached, and she lost all the skin from below her knee to her ankle. She was airlifted to Halifax, where she coded in the helicopter and had to be resuscitated. Maria now faces 8 surgeries, including skin grafts, reconstruction, and rods to repair disconnected tendons.

Aria suffered a broken clavicle, a concussion, and a deep gash in her thigh requiring stitches. Desere sustained a broken knee, severe facial lacerations requiring 33 stitches, and multiple other injuries including road rash and cuts from glass. Both sisters also have concussions and bruised lungs.

In addition to the physical trauma, the jeep was completely totaled in the crash and Maria will be in the hospital for at least 2 weeks, adding financial strain to an already overwhelming situation. The family now faces an incredibly long road to recovery — physically, emotionally, and financially — and is seeking support during this difficult time.