Teen Suffers Severe Brain Injury in Parking Lot Fall

Robinson was hanging partway out of a car’s sunroof when the teenage driver turned sharply, throwing her onto the pavement, her mother said. The crash happened at a shopping center parking lot shortly after 8 p.m., while Robinson was with friends. She landed head-first and suffered a skull fracture and three areas of bleeding in her brain, with one on its right and two on its left.

Doctors diagnosed Robinson with a severe traumatic brain injury. She spends much of the day asleep and is confused, emotional and disoriented when awake, her mother said. She also has trouble recalling basic details, including her own name.

Before the incident, Robinson was an honors student and high school senior just two credits short of graduation. Her mother said doctors may need six months to a year before they can provide a clearer assessment of her long-term condition. Robinson is expected to need extensive rehabilitation.

Her mother said she believes a new friendship influenced her daughter’s choices, but also described the driver’s actions as a mistake. She said she wants the driver to face consequences, while not wanting the incident to ruin two young people’s lives.

No charges had been filed against the driver. Robinson’s family has started a fundraiser to help with costs and support her recovery; it had raised more than $2,000 toward a $20,000 goal as of November 13.