Harris County graduate remembers near tragic car accident

HARRIS COUNTY, GA (WTVM) - Some are calling her a miracle child after a Harris County High School student was left unsure if she was going to graduate with her class, but her wish to do so came true.

"For two weeks, they told us that everything was still up in the air and that she probably would not make it, she would not pull through," said Shasta Tripp, the girl's mother.

On the morning of April 13th, 2016, the Tripp family experienced the unthinkable.

16-year-old Morgan Tripp was on her way home following a doctor's appointment along River Road when her truck left the lane.

"Police said that she rode the roads like she was supposed to, and she came up on a mailbox and, before she thought about it, she snatched [the wheel] because she was going to hit the mailbox," says Shasta.

Morgan shot across River Road while trying to overcorrect, causing her to hit four trees and end up in the front yard of Jeff and Jackie Allen, who helped save her life.

"Jackie looked at Jeff and said this is somebody's daughter, this is somebody's child, and she's not dying on me and she refused to let her go out completely," said Shasta.

After five weeks in a coma and suffering from traumatic brain injuries, the Tripp family never thought Morgan would fully recover to the point that she would be able to finish school on time, but Morgan had other plans.

"They told me I wasn't going to be able to go back to school and I was like no, I'm going to graduate with my class," said Morgan.

"They told her to take some time off and she was like no, I'm going back to school as soon as I get home," said Shasta.

Although it was a difficult journey, Morgan did just that. With the help of her teachers at Harris County High, she graduated on time with her class May 19.

And now the graduate says she is headed to Columbus State University's nursing program for one reason.

"So, it was a toss-up between being a game warden or being a pediatric nurse and then after my accident, I was like they helped me live, now I can help another child live like they helped me," says Morgan.

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