A nursing student from California, Janina Akpolabbare, faced what experts described as “overwhelming odds” and survived a terrifying highway accident where a metal pole penetrated her car and her abdomen.
This incident occurred on August 25 while Akpolabbare was navigating through heavy traffic on Interstate 10 in San Bernardino, with her brother in the backseat, when a pole struck her car unexpectedly, as reported.
“I remember seeing this huge pole coming at me and realized I couldn’t turn because of the traffic,” she recounted. Akpolabbare managed to veer off the road, getting her brother out of harm’s way, and called for help.
She described the situation: “The pole was so long that I had to climb over it, as it was lodged in my stomach.”
First responders arrived quickly, cutting part of the pole but leaving some still in her body, as shown in distressing photos. According to her accounts, she feared the worst: “I thought, ‘I’m going to die now. This is it.’”
The response team noted that Akpolabbare reached the hospital within ten minutes, despite the severity of her injuries. Doctors gave her a grim 1% chance of survival following the traumatic event.
She had to undergo several surgeries and spent nearly two months in recovery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, during which doctors had to remove parts of her colon, liver, and kidney.
With medical bills climbing to about $1 million, she faced significant setbacks, like missing a semester of nursing school and losing work opportunities.
Reflecting on her experience, she mentioned her current apprehensions: “I feel scared. I don’t drive much anymore, especially not on highways.”
Despite everything, Akpolabbare expressed a desire to help others, inspired by the nurses who cared for her. “It only made me want to be a nurse even more,” she stated.
The cause of the accident, particularly how the pole came to be airborne, remains unclear. Akpolabbare and her legal team are searching for answers and are calling for witnesses to come forward.
“I really want to find those responsible and gain some closure,” she said, showing gratitude for the lifesaving efforts of her rescuers as she continues her journey to becoming a critical care nurse.
