An Illinois mother, Savanah White, 28, experienced a miraculous recovery after a devastating e-scooter accident on July 24, 2024, that left her clinically dead and severely injured. White and her seven-year-old son, Malakye, were struck by a speeding red car while crossing an intersection on their way to a gas station. The impact threw them approximately 25 feet into the air before they hit the concrete.

Savanah White sustained catastrophic injuries, including 26 broken bones in her face and a portion of her brain protruding from her forehead. This severe trauma led to her heart stopping for 1 minute and 24 seconds due to oxygen deprivation to her brain and the brain's inability to send signals to her heart, resulting in her being declared clinically dead. A chaplain was even called to administer last rites and discuss funeral arrangements with her family. Beyond the facial injuries, White also suffered a broken pelvis, a collapsed lung, two strokes, and an aneurysm, a bulge in a blood vessel that, while not immediately dangerous, can rupture with fatal consequences.

Her son, Malakye, also required hospitalization for a broken leg and underwent two head surgeries. It remains unclear whether either Savanah or Malakye were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Local police initiated an investigation into the incident and were reportedly searching for suspects, though no further updates on the case were available.

White was hospitalized for three weeks, and her injuries were so extensive that doctors initially doubted her chances of surviving surgery. After several days, she was stable enough for operations but did not regain full consciousness for six days. Surgeons performed a skin graft, using skin from her C-section scar to repair her forehead, and implanted metal plates to stabilize the 26 broken facial bones.

Upon waking, White was disoriented and in denial about the accident, even attempting to leave the hospital to find her son. She recounted being shown a mirror, which finally made her comprehend the severity of her injuries. Over a year later, both Savanah and Malakye have made full recoveries. Savanah bears a small 'Harry Potter' like scar on her forehead, a testament to her ordeal.

Despite their physical healing, the accident has left lasting psychological and physical impacts on Savanah. She now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), remains terrified of driving, and struggles with coping with stress. A significant long-term effect of her facial bone damage is the permanent loss of her sense of smell, as severe injuries can block nasal passages and damage olfactory nerves.

However, White also shared a profound, life-altering experience during her period of unconsciousness. She described passing through a 'rainbow tunnel' and witnessing 'colors and lights that don't even exist here,' along with visions of 'the Earth, heaven, hell, all dimensions.' She believes she was given a choice of where to go and ultimately chose to 'come back for my kid,' expressing deep gratitude for this decision and a renewed appreciation for life.