A 9-Foot Gator, A Steel Pole, And One Toyota 4Runner That Took Both Hits

Encounters with wildlife on Florida roads are common, but they don’t usually end like this. For one woman in Sarasota, a collision with a 9-foot (2.8m) alligator turned into a violent crash that left her seriously injured and facing a long recovery.

The shock crash happened at around 6 a.m. on Easter Sunday when Maslin Kurtz was driving her Toyota 4Runner alongside Fruitville Road in Sarasota County. Kurtz slammed into the alligator as it lay across the road, although initially she didn’t realize what she had hit. The 4Runner then slammed into a pole.

Watch: Toyota 4Runner Driver Runs From Police And Gets Rammed For His Trouble

Images taken in the aftermath of the crash show just how badly damaged the Toyota was and how fortunate Kurtz was to survive. The entire passenger side of the 4Runner has been destroyed, and the roof caved in. According to Kurtz, she was crushed between the roof and the steering wheel.

The young driver suffered multiple spine fractures in the crash, as well as a fractured sternum, left scapula, and a shoulder blade. She has to wear a brace for the next four to six weeks before beginning physical therapy, but she is expected to ultimately make a full recovery.

Life-Changing Injuries

“I was just praying that somebody would see me. Obviously, I saw lights go by, so I thought I was behind a bush or something. I didn’t know where I ended up,” she told Tampa Bay 28. “I’m just grateful that I’m here and I give all the glory to God.” She spent four days in the hospital, including two days in the intensive care unit.

Unsurprisingly, the alligator didn’t survive, and when Kurtz is fit to drive again, she’ll also need some new wheels. The crash serves as an important reminder of how crucial it is to pay attention while driving, particularly during early morning or evening hours when many animals are more active.

Screenshot Tampa Bay28 / YouTube