A bride was left with brain damage after a freak accident saw her go from the dance floor to the emergency room on her wedding day.
Star Torres had spent over a year planning her dream wedding to Jacob, her partner of two years.
The couple, who first met at Texas Tech where Jacob was a football coach and Star was a student, had everything lined up for the big day on April 17.
“She kind of just caught my eye and the rest is history from there,” Jacob told NBCDFW.
The ceremony was perfect. The first dance was magical. The cake was cut. “The venue was breathtaking,” Star recalled. “It was beautiful. We’re really trying to focus on all of the good moments throughout that day before everything else happened.”
But then, just as the dance floor opened up, tragedy struck.
While celebrating with her friends, Star took a tumble that would change everything. “It was really a freak accident. I just took a bad fall … dumb, just not paying attention,” she explained. “I fell headfirst onto the concrete floor and cracked my skull.”
Instead of heading off on a honeymoon, Star found herself rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care. She spent four days being monitored for a skull fracture and brain bleed — all while her new husband stayed by her side without leaving once.
On Facebook, she revealed the extent of her injuries: “For those wondering, my recovery has been really hard. Until yesterday, I haven't been able to do anything on my own, including walking, going to the bathroom, showering etc. and the symptoms have been ruthless,” she added.
Star was diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage and traumatic brain injury — but incredibly, the fracture stopped just short of her spine. Doctors say she’s likely to make a full recovery once her concussion symptoms subside.
She credits her husband for being her rock through it all: “I would not be recovering as well if it wasn’t for Jacob.”
Despite the horrific twist to their wedding day, the couple is holding onto gratitude and perspective.
“We’ve had a traumatic experience on what was supposed to be a perfect, beautiful day, and it’s just a constant reminder that life happens no matter what, no matter the situation, and what you make of it is everything,” Jacob said.
Their loved ones have since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the couple’s recovery, which has already raised over $5,000.