Ms. Ally Karlen’s Deadly Car Accident Survival Story

Monday, January 20th, 2025 3:30pm

My day started out normal. I had spent time with my Mom and Dad and I was on my way to have a wonderful dinner with my partner and his family. I was driving down Collins Rd, I had barely left my apartment complex and that is the last thing I remember.

Next thing I knew, I was hit head on by a car, then spun around into oncoming traffic where I was hit a second time. The driver of the first car that hit me was driving nearly 3 times the legal limit when they hit me head on. He later took responsibility of speeding and losing control of the vehicle.

I don’t remember much about the first head on collision, but I was fully alert and awake when I was hit a second by oncoming traffic. My car was ping ponged across the road. I remember it felt like I was moving in slow motion. Every single air bag had already deployed, my body thrown from side to side, and broken glass was everywhere. My left ear was hit by an airbag and all I could hear was ringing. Out again.

When I came to, I smelt smoke and heard sizzling as if my car was about to catch on fire. It smelled like something was burning and I couldn’t see anything - oh smell. My fight or flight kicked in - and I chose flight. I knew I needed to get out and I didn’t want to burn alive. I attempted to open my door, but it was jammed. I attempted to unbuckle myself, my seatbelt was stuck. The seatbelt wasn’t locked so I had wiggle room, but it would not unbuckle. I realized the seatbelt saved my life, and the pain began to set in. I was in so much pain everywhere - but the pain in my foot was the worst. I then realized my foot was stuck under the wheel and extremely broken - it was turned inwards, crushed and obviously dislocated.

I realized I was trapped inside my vehicle. I did NOT want to burn alive. I knew I had to get out.

I pulled my foot out from the wheel with a scream, used my right foot to push myself and crawl from under the seatbelt, and pushed through the broken glass on my window. I somehow pulled myself through my driver side window- i realized I was no longer on the road and my car had been thrown onto some sort of grassy hill.

I looked around and saw nobody, not a single soul in sight- Only 2 other cars that were severely crunched in and mangled. One person had been ejected from the other vehicle and was lying on the ground. This is when I finished crawling through the window, I dropped down on the grass. I began army crawling towards the shops and screaming for help. “Help! Please! Somebody help me! Help us! Please Help!” Shop owners and bystanders who had witnessed the deadly accident and heard me cry for help began rushing to the scene.

Arlington Police Depsrtment & EMS arrived to the scene quickly. I was rushed to Medical City Arlington trauma - center and scanned and treated for life- threatening injuries.

I remained in the hospital for 7 days where I received two major surgeries and around the clock care. I experienced the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

I am still in awe that God chose to spare my life. There are just no words for how grateful I am to be alive.

God gave me another chance at life, and I CHOOSE to live it for HIM.

The accident has left me temporarily wheelchair bound and unable to perform functional life skills independently.

I am a 4th grade classroom teacher and my whole life spirit evolves around my students’ safety, their learning and making them feel loved.

I am also a dance teacher and teach 3 Acro-tumbling classes- my dancers fill my heart ❤️.

My injuries have left me unable to work for an extended amount of time.

I’m currently projected to return to work in 3 months - unfortunately medical leave will be completely unpaid.

I am now faced with losing my apartment (eviction) and my assets due to the unpaid medical leave. Due to the duties of being a teacher and the severity of my injuries - my doctor has placed me on an extended leave. I am so terrified but pray for calm.

If you are able to make a donation, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for your kindness and generosity.

In his name ❤️‍ we thank GOD for sparing my life and giving me strength to fight. ✝️