Life
13-Year-Old Teen Is Pronounced Dead After Dune Buggy Crash, 'Wakes Up' A Day Later
His mom is sharing his story to inspire others.
Cedric Jackson
05.14.18

When 13-year-old Trenton McKinley decided to go to a friend’s house to have some fun, he had no idea how much his life would change.

Like most boys their age, the friends wanted to play around on a dune buggy. Trenton was sitting on a small trailer that was being pulled but the buggy when he friend hit the brakes too fast.

Jennifer Reindl
Source:
Jennifer Reindl

The trailer flipped over the buggy and tossed Trenton in the air.

He fell to the ground, and the trailer fell right on top of his head. His friend could only look on terrified. Trenton’s mom was called, but by then, doctors weren’t sure that Trenton was going to survive the accident.

Trenton would later describe it, saying:

“I hit the concrete and the trailer landed on top of my head. After that, I don’t remember anything.”

Jennifer Reindl
Source:
Jennifer Reindl

Trenton did pull through to survive, but it wasn’t easy, and his survival is a true miracle.

His mother shared his story on Facebook, hoping that it would inspire others. The family is still in shock from what happened, but they know their prayers were answered and they consider their son a miracle.

Jennifer Reindl
Source:
Jennifer Reindl

Trenton’s mom, Jennifer, posted:

“He has had two craniotomy surgeries and died 4 times, at one time for 15 min. The last time they brought him back he had no brain waves a damaged brain stem and his heart only beat because the adrenalin and even then his vitals were 40over20 and his body temp was 81….they said the next time his heart stopped they had to let him die….this was a saterday….or I could sign a paper to donate his organs to save five other kids….and they would keep hitting him with adrenaline till monday….so I signed it….his eyes were solid black and dry and I knew he would not hesitate to save 5 more lives….the next day I got a call….they canceled the final brain wave test….right before they hooked him up his hand moved Then his feet…so they looked at his eyes and they were back….he had blue eyes….now they are green with small white specks like glitter…they say when you look upon god…pigment changes…and my baby was in heaven for a whole day….he is a miracle…they say no one has ever come back from complete death of the brain stem and heart….but god did for my son what he did for his own….and I am so honored to have him back this is my testimony….god is good.”

Jennifer Reindl
Source:
Jennifer Reindl

Jennifer talked about how shocked and terrified she was to see her child lying in the hospital bed and knowing he would likely never wake up.

She said:

“He was dead a total of 15 minutes. When he came back, they said he would never be normal again … [and] that he would be a vegetable if he even made it.”

Jennifer Reindl
Source:
Jennifer Reindl

Trenton was dead for an entire day, but he says that he wasn’t alone and that the time he was unresponsive, he had many visions.

His experience has led him to have a stronger faith in God, heaven, and the afterlife. He described what he saw while he was dead. Trenton said:

“I was in an open field walking straight. There’s no other explanation but God. There’s no other way. Even doctors said it.”

Jennifer Reindl
Source:
Jennifer Reindl

Trenton still has a long road ahead of him to recover, but it’s clear that he has a purpose and he is supposed to be alive.

He has lost over 50 pounds, is missing half his skull, and suffers from seizures, but he is alive. He and his family are thankful that they have each other.

He will soon have to undergo more surgeries, and his family has created a donation account on Facebook to help with the cost of these medical procedures. Hopefully, this amazing young man will recover completely and live a normal life.

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