Pottery artist returns to her business after severe crash on US 60 left her in a coma
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - A Valley woman who was nearly killed in a horrible crash two months ago is on the road to recovery.
Steel pipes were sent flying into her car, sending her to the hospital in a coma, after a terrible crash on US 60.
Victoria Cardenas earns a living making one-of-a-kind pottery at the Goldfield Goldmine in Apache Junction in front of the old western-looking shop called Mudslingers.
She finally made it back there on Thursday, Dec. 19, and it’s nothing short of a miracle.
"I feel lucky to be here. That is the best part. I’m lucky to be alive, and I’m lucky to be here," she said.
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Friends and family support woman who was placed in a coma after bad crash on US 60
A woman is recovering after she was placed in a coma due to a bad crash on US 60. Her friends and family are helping her business, Mudslingers at the Goldfield Goldmine, while she recovers.
Victoria - who goes by Tori - was left in a coma after a semitruck jackknifed, sending pipes and poles right into her car.
She survived, but still has severe injuries that may take months to heal.
"So many people stepped up; my mom, my aunt, my friends from high school that I didn’t remember. I am just lucky," she said.
Friends and family have been keeping Mudslingers open while Tori’s been away so she can focus on getting better.
"She was in the hospital for 48 days, in the ICU for 40 days. After, it felt like a prison. So when she got out, it’s just been every day with a smile," said Amber Cardenas, her mother.
Tori’s return doesn’t mean she’s back to work, not yet anyway.
It’s more of a chance to take a look around, share some smiles and say thank you.
"I realize I’ve been given a second chance and I am not going to screw this one up. I’m not gonna screw this one up. This life is going to mean something. I promise you that," she says.
Goldfield Goldmine is hosting a cookie and ornament decoration event this Friday and Saturday.
The proceeds will go to Tori. She’s also giving some of the proceeds to the Superstition Food Bank to help pay it forward.
A GoFundMe page was also created for Cardenas' family.
The Source: Information for this story was gathered by FOX 10 Reporter Brian Webb.