VIDEO: Last July, 16-year-old Melanie Sowa nearly lost her life when the car she was in crashed into a dump truck near 51st Avenue and Thunderbird Road. Her best friend, 14-year-old Ella Thomas, was killed. Three other teenagers inside the car were hurt. Now out of the hospital, Melanie had a surprise reunion with some of the first responders who worked to save her.
It was a reunion that should have never happened, firefighters said, judging by how mangled the car was after its teen driver ran a red light and crashed into the back of a dump truck. Now three months later, Melanie is still coping with the loss of her friend.
“It still hasn’t fully hit me, yet. I still can’t believe that my best friend is gone. We spent years together and just, mentally, I don’t believe that she’s not here,” Melanie said.