Camryn Herriage, a popular TikTok user reported to be fighting for her life after a deadly hit-and-run crash caused by an "extremely intoxicated" driver has made miraculous progress, according to her family.
Herrigage, 23, who had been on a ventilator since February 11, is now breathing on her own, her uncle, Tim, revealed in an update shared on his Facebook account last Sunday (April 7).
"Great news – Camryn has been breathing on her own for over 24 hours! A speech therapist will visit soon to assess her ability to use voice control," he wrote. "This step could potentially lead to her trying to speak, and if successful, they might plug the tracheostomy.
"Additionally, there’s a hopeful outlook for Camryn to transition into a regular room within the next week or so.
"All of these developments are positive signs of Camryn's progress. Thank you for your continued support as we embrace this good news."
Herriage, a recent Texas Tech graduate, was traveling with her roommate, Sara House, and several other friends when they were struck from behind by a Ford pickup truck while waiting at a stoplight on February 11, FOX 4 Dallas reports. The crash, which occurred two blocks away from Herriage's apartment, caused a pile-up.
House was pronounced dead at the scene while Herriage and the other people inside the vehicle were rushed to a nearby hospital. The 23-year-old remains in the intensive care unit after undergoing multiple surgeries.
“When she came out of her first surgery, the surgeon told us he told us he never saw anyone make it to the hospital with her injury,” said Herriage's older sister, Casie Campanello, via FOX 4 Dallas. “So she has a purpose.”
Carmen Guerrero, 27, was arrested after initially fleeing the scene of the crash. Guerrero, who faces multiple charges including manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, is accused of driving 70 MPH in a 35 MPH zone, according to a Fort Worth Police Department arrest affidavit.
Witnesses at the scene called 911 and reported that a woman described as "wearing a small black dress and white clubbing shoes" was seen getting out of the truck and appeared to be "extremely intoxicated" as she abandoned the truck and attempted to flee the scene, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. Guerrero's wallet was reportedly located by detectives inside the abandoned Ford truck and she was detained in February.