A La Jolla High School student who nearly died in a car crash that killed her cousin last month shared her story of grief and recovery for the first time Tuesday.
In the days after the horrific mid-April crash, doctors were unsure if Manuela Cerciello-Rahbari, 16, would be able to walk or talk again.
Nearly a month later, she’s shattering expectations, walking and talking and regaining her strength.
She told NBC 7 the loss of her cousin and best friend motivates her.
“I still don't get why I was so lucky,” Manuela said. “I just know that totally, 100 percent, the loss of my cousin hurts me more than this.”
Manuela and her cousin Ginevra Gallone-Latte, 18, were on their way to Coachella the morning of April 12 when their driver fell asleep, veered off Interstate 10 and struck a tree.
Ginevra was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Local
Manuela said the group had planned the trip at that last minute and didn't think through leaving for the trip at the time that they did.
“There are consequences to some ideas,” she said. “These things are a possibility. You’re not invincible.”
"Your life is not worth these random adventures," she said.
Manuela’s family has been by her side since, as she fought through serious spinal and brain injuries.
When she finally woke up, they had to explain everything that had happened and tell her why her cousin, who was more like a sister, couldn’t be there.
“I am always trying my best to think with her mentality,” Manuela said. "I am trying my best not to be sad, and trying my best to be happy and laugh at stuff like this because I know that is what she would have wanted.”
Eva Cerciello, Manuela’s mom, told NBC 7 that it wasn’t the first time the family has had to share devastating news with her.
Just four years ago, Eva almost lost her son in an eerily similar crash. He spent months in a coma and fought through organ failure and neurological damage.
It took Manuela’s brother more than six months to leave the hospital after his accident, so the family knows there is still a long and expensive road ahead.
Family members and friends have set up an online fundraising page to help with medical bills.
