In January, Tina Egelston was working off-duty at the time at I-35 near the Frost Bank Center when she and another person were hit by a car.
SAN ANTONIO — Alive to tell her story of survival. For the first time, an Edgewood ISD School Police Officer is revealing more about the terrifying moments of when she was hit by a car while helping strangers.
In January, Tina Egelston was working off-duty at the time at I-35 near the Frost Bank Center when she and another person were hit by a car.
The officer was in a coma for weeks and spent months in the hospital. She’s not out of the woods just yet, but believes there’s a purpose on why she’s still here.
“People are afraid of death,” she said. “I don’t fear death. Seven times I was pronounced dead.”
Egelston is clear she doesn’t remember much about that night. But does remember about moments before she was hit. She said she stopped at the Valero when a couple of strangers went up to her and said they ran out of gas and needed help.
“She said I need gas,“ Egelston said.
She said they went inside a got a gas can.
“I told them to get in the back and tell me where you want to go, that’s all I remember,” she said.
At the point, they are on the shoulder of the road. According to San Antonio Police another car hit Egelston and the other person who was needing help. At that time, SAPD had reported the stranded motorist was injured and was stable.
As for Egelston, she spent months in the hospital and then eventually went to rehab.
“Yeah this happened to me,” she said. “How many other people has this happened to. How many people didn’t make it.”
The officer just got home in April. She said her biggest issue was a major brain injury.
“My head was scrambled eggs, cottage cheese,” she said.
At first, she said doctors didn’t think she was going to survive. Now, she’s sitting here as a miracle sharing her story.
“I know I got a purpose,” she said. “And I am going to fulfill that purpose. And when I do, God already told me he would open the gate for me. “I care about people.”
For now, the woman who spent 14 years in law enforcement including with the San Antonio Police Department is having to relearn everything. She credits her current therapy team.
“They are teaching me hand and eye coordination,” Egelston said. “They are teaching me memory skills. They are teaching me how to talk.”
Egelston said what has carried her through these difficult days are her family, fellow officers, and even strangers at the store.
“Thank you,” she said. “They don’t realize how much they helped me. People that don’t even know me did. So, thank you.”
Egelston said her career in law enforcement is likely over. However, she would like to go back one day, especially to Edgewood ISD because she said she misses the kids.
Her recovery is far from over, she has another surgery next Friday. As for the driver who caused the crash, San Antonio Police told KENS 5 no criminal charges were pending and that the case is closed.
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