Bernans Pinned Under Food Truck, Severely Injured After Multi-Car Crash
During the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, a driver fleeing New York City police officers reportedly struck numerous vehicles before speeding onto a sidewalk and hitting a food truck.
“Black Panther” actor and stuntwoman Carrie Bernans was pinned underneath the food truck and taken to the hospital with severe injuries.
Eight other individuals were also injured in the multi-block crash that occurred less than two hours after thousands rang in 2023 in Times Square. Police said the driver was fleeing an alleged hit-and-run and now faces charges like attempted murder.
According to her publicist, Bernans sustained broken bones, fractures, and chipped teeth. She required emergency surgery and has a long recovery ahead, but doctors expect her to make a full recovery eventually.
Mother Remains Optimistic Despite Daughter’s Traumatic Injuries
Bernans’ mother Patricia Lee told reporters, “Some people may say we started New Year’s off in a negative way. We started New Year’s off with all of our children. And this one wasn’t lost.”
Despite the traumatic situation that left her daughter unconscious and pinned under a food truck, Lee remains optimistic that Bernans will heal both physically and emotionally from the traumatic New Year’s Day incident.
The family is relying on community support during Bernans’ extensive treatment and rehabilitation. A GoFundMe campaign describes the pain medications limiting her ability to breastfeed her 8-month-old son. But amidst the chaos, Bernans herself says she feels “immense gratitude for life itself.”
Bernans Is Actor And Stuntwoman With Several Major Credits
The 29-year-old Bernans is an actor and stunt performer whose credits include 2018’s Black Panther, where she played one of the warriors Dora Milaje, as well as the recent musical The Color Purple and Marvel series Luke Cage.
Bernans is known for performing her own stunts in these action-packed roles. But while playing a fighting heroine on screen, her real life took a tragic turn when she ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time early on New Year’s Day 2023.
The wife and mother remains hospitalized following multiple surgeries to treat her extensive injuries. Her family calls the incident “traumatic” and asks the public to keep Bernans in their thoughts and prayers during her long recovery.
Despite the devastating crash putting her career on hold, Bernans feels fortunate to be alive and looks ahead to “a beautiful new chapter” once she heals. For now, she battles immense pain amid a flood of community support.
