CASTROVILLE, Texas — A Medina Valley High School senior is fighting for her life.
Cara Garcia was driving home on September 13, when a car veered into her lane, colliding with her head on in front of Medina Valley High School. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the 23-year-old driver could be facing charges of intoxicated assault.
Garcia was transported to University Hospital with serious injuries.
"It's just crazy how like she's fighting for her life, yet ours are going on," said Ashlynn Farris, Garcia's friend.
Garcia is a volleyball player, and a track star. She's sixth in her class, and loves her faith.
"I don't know that I've ever seen her in a bad mood," said Doug Bull, director of athletics for Medina Valley ISD. "She was always smiling and worrying about others. She was a fierce competitor, but she was still a great person. Or is a great person."
Her friends and teammates describe Garcia as a caring person. Her nickname on the volleyball team, is "Care-Bear."
"I have people texting me still," said Annabelle Jehl, Garcia's best friend. "You know, they're just so grateful for everything that she did before this accident. I just want people to know that she is so amazing. Like, I can't even put into words like how she's changed my life. She has changed so many people's lives.”
While loved ones are anxiously waiting for Garcia to recover, her teammates have encouraged the community to wear Garcia's favorite color, green, and have been collecting donations for her family through a GoFundMe they created.
"[Although] like we can't physically care for her, we are doing all the things we can outside of that to care for her," Farris said. "Like helping take care of her family, helping get prayers for her, raise support for her family, like, although we cannot be there with her. We're doing all we can outside of it to care for her."
On Friday, at the first home game since Garcia's accident, nearly 600 people showed up to watch the Medina Valley girl's volleyball team to support Garcia and her teammates.
"So many different schools, about 40 of them in the area, have worn green ribbons to support her," said Grace Medley, Garcia's teammate and friend. "And the Laredo Alexander girls who we played last night were super kind about everything and after the game like they told us they're praying for us and wishing her the best. Cara and I have been on the same team all four years, and so this was my first game in that gym without her, my like whole high school career. So, it was just like a devastating feeling, not having her."
As Garcia continues to recover, her loved ones are asking for continued support and prayers.