In an incredible story of survival, Brieonna Cassell, a 41-year-old mother of three from Indiana, endured six days trapped in her crashed car after veering off the road in northwest Indiana.
The incident occurred when Cassell, driving near the towns of Wheatfield and DeMotte, reportedly fell asleep at the wheel on March 5th, 2025, and crashed into a deep ditch in Brook, approximately 80 miles south of Chicago. Her vehicle landed out of sight from passing traffic, and with severe injuries preventing her from moving her legs, she was unable to escape or call for help after her phone lost power.
Despite the dire circumstances, Cassell managed to survive by using her resourcefulness and determination. Unable to leave the car, she dipped her hoodie into a nearby creek, retrieving water by wringing it out and drinking from it. This ingenious act would keep her hydrated for nearly a week. She suffered serious injuries, including broken legs, ribs and a wrist. She also endured excruciating pain while screaming for help, though no one could hear her from the road above.
Cassell was finally discovered on March 11th, 2025, by Johnny Martinez, a drainage equipment operator, who spotted her car while working near the Newton County Landfill. Martinez alerted his supervisor, Jeremy Vanderwall, a local fire chief, and together they found Cassell conscious and able to speak. Emergency responders extricated her from the wreckage and airlifted her to a Chicago hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU. She underwent surgery on March 12th for her injuries, and while her condition stabilized, her family noted that recovery would be a long process due to concerns about her legs healing.
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