Victim of Accident Tells Story of Driving While Sleep-Deprived

MINNEAPOLIS - A 20-year-old college had her leg amputated after she was in a crash because she was driving while sleep-deprived.

North Hennepin Community College Sophomore Kate Ross pulled all-nighters for last December’s winter finals changed her life forever. On Christmas day of 2009, Ross lost her leg due to her injuries she suffered after falling asleep at the wheel.

"40 feet of guard rail went through my leg actually," said Ross.

Ross was studying for three finals and writing several papers and got very little sleep. On December 18, when it was all over, she felt relieved, so she decided to hang out with her friends. While driving home, Ross remembered getting tired, opening the windows and trying to stay awake.

"The next thing I remember is waking up and realizing I hit something but not knowing what it was."

Ross was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center and was placed in a medically induced coma. Fourteen days later, she woke up without her right leg.

She hopes other students don't make the same mistake.

Doctor Mark Mahowald is the co-director of HCMC's Sleep Center

"When we feel sleepy driving, we roll down windows or turn up the air conditioner or turn up the radio really loud those have shown scientifically not to work," said Mahowald.

Mahowald says “fall asleep” crashes kill more people under the age of 25 than alcohol-related crashes.

"Our adolescences are the most sleep deprived element of our society and most apt to fall asleep while driving."

To make donations, all Wells Fargo Banks are accepting donations to the benefit account of Katelyn C. Ross.

Benefit for Katelyn Ross
Thursday, June 3, 2010
6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Seven Sushi Ultralounge
700 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN