Teen Athlete Seriously Injured in Hwy. 126 Crash

WALTERVILLE: A Saturday afternoon accident on the McKenzie Highway has left 16-year-old Teagan Merritt, a Thurston High School student and standout athlete, in critical condition and fighting for her life.

The collision occurred around 1:30 p.m. on November 15, when Merritt was asleep in the back seat of a 2014 Ford Focus driven by her friend, Shyla Flores. According to Merritt’s family, Flores had slowed to make a left turn into the Merritt’s driveway at 39830 Hwy. 126 and was legally stopped with her blinker on, waiting for traffic to clear.

According to Captain Kyle Kennedy of the Oregon State Police, “an eastbound Dodge Ram pickup failed to stop for the Ford that was waiting to make a left hand turn. The Dodge “rear ended” the Ford causing significant damage and injury to both occupants.” At press time, Kennedy said no further information is being released while the investigation is ongoing.

Other sources report the impact pushed the smaller vehicle more than 200 feet into a nearby creek bed. The crash was also captured on camera by an oncoming motorist.

Merritt sustained a traumatic brain injury along with multiple other injuries and remains in the ICU at Riverbend Hospital. Her family says she faces a long and difficult recovery that will require extensive, long-term care. Flores was not seriously injured.

Family members say Flores did everything she could in the seconds before impact – including flashing the brake lights, honking and pulling toward the shoulder – actions they believe helped save Merritt’s life.

The crash has stunned people who know Merritt, a well-regarded athlete in both wrestling and OHSET equestrian barrel racing. She has competed at state and regional levels and is known among teammates and friends for her determination, upbeat attitude and generosity.

The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical bills, long-term rehabilitation and to ensure Merritt’s parents can remain by her side during her ICU stay. A separate fundraiser has also been created for Flores.

Merritt has wrestled since seventh grade, earning state titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling through USA Wrestling, as well as an All-American certificate – achievements made even more remarkable because she competed while recovering from a torn meniscus.

To make a donation to the GoFundMe account for Teagan Merritt, go to: tinyurl.com/yc7sx998

Contributions for Shyla Flores can be made at: tinyurl.com/mrf8pehy