The day started off pretty normal, but there was an excitement in the air. It was July 7. It's summer. The Escamilla family from Lakin was going on vacation.
There were six of them: LaToya, her four children: Emani, 17, Amiya, 9, Raymond, 6, and Aleigha, 4, and LaToya's niece, Eternity, 15. "It was a normal day," said LaToya. "My girls went and got their hair done before our trip. We were headed to Chihuahua, Mexico for vacation. We didn't leave until the evening that Monday. We packed up and left Lakin before 11 p.m."
The family loaded up in a GMC Sierra and headed down the highway. And that would be pretty much the last thing LaToya would remember about that day.
"I remember switching drivers, from my daughter driving to me driving," she said. "I was driving when the accident happened."
According to LaToya a woman was headed their way from the opposite direction.
"We don't know if she fell asleep or if she had a medical emergency," she said. "A lady was in our lane and hit us head on. She was an elderly lady and did not survive."
It was LaToya who dialed 911, but she does not remember making that call.
"They said I called 911, but I don't remember the crash or anything," she said. "The last thing I remember was literally changing drivers with my daughter. I vaguely remember a little bit of the helicopter ride. I woke up in the hospital."
All six of them were flown to a hospital in El Paso, Texas.
"It was horrible and still is horrible," LaToya said. "My oldest is still in the hospital - she has severe brain damage." LaToya says their faith is what is keeping the family going.
We believe in God, she said "We have faith and we are praying for a miracle and that she will be able to share her testimony some day.
The accident occurred on Highway 54, near Carrizozo, in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Authorities had to shut down the highway for a tine until the scene was cleared
As of July 11, LaToya Eternity, Aleigha, Raymond and Amiya have undergone several successful surgeries and procedures, with more still ahead."
All of them suffered head traumas. Aleigha suffered a broken leg and Raymond had injuries to his jaw.
"Raymond was pretty bad," LaToya said. "He wouldn't even open his eyes for a couple of days because he was so scared and due to his head trauma. He didn't want us to leave his side. He wanted someone with him all the time.
All of the family has since been released from the hospital, except Emanı.
"She is awake," LaToya said. "They took her off of the ventilator, but had to put her back on, because she was over breathing she was over working her lungs. They had to put oxygen back on to help her regulate it. She is awake and she can hear us, but she can't respond or communicate with us.”
There is still a long road ahead.
"Now we are trying to find a flight from here to Wichita to get her back to Kansas to a long term hospital rehab," LaToya said. "She's going to a facility connected to St. Francis for people on ventilators, and with trachs. Their goal is to get her off ventilator and trach so she can get to rehab.
"The experience that started out as a fun-filled vacation, has been a nightmare for the family. But not one they have had to navigate alone.
"Kearny County Bank has a medical fund set up for us," LaToya said. "And we have a Go Fund Me. The Lakin Volleyball team put together a game over the weekend to raise money and my church has been helping us out."
A resident in the El Paso area has assisted with a place for the family to stay. "A lady here is letting us stay in her Airbnb at no cost to us and we even had someone from Lakin come here to the hospital who prayed with us and gave us a bible."
LaToya knows the family has not faced this alone.
"God has been with us through the whole thing," she said. "It is rough and it is still scary every day. It's hard, but we have been very blessed.
"Watching her daughter, Emani has been tough.
"It's crazy seeing my daughter this way," she said. "I have random moments where people come up and say this happened to their family member and now they are walking and talking like nothing happened. It doesn't always matter what the doctor's say. We have faith."
A single parent, LaToya is not working right now so that she can stay by Emani's side. LaToya also suffered a broken arm and a broken heel. "They also had to do a major surgery on my stomach,"
LaToya said. LaToya has been working two jobs to support her family, one as a traveling certified nurses aide and the other a part time job at a motel.
They need her income.
"The insurance has helped a little," LaToya said. "And people have reached out and helped us. "We are thankful to everyone who has reached out to help, and prayed for us. We are thankful to be alive."
LaToya asked prayers to continue for her daughter Emani who is going to be a senior this year at Lakin High School. Her condition continues to be critical and the weeks ahead are filled with uncertainty.
While they continue to heal, the family is also facing significant financial challenges, including hospital stays, ongoing medical expenses, household bills, and many unexpected costs associated with their recovery while being far from home in El Paso.
Any contribution, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated. If you’re unable to give, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean the world to our family. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued prayers as the Escamilla Family continues their journey toward recovery.
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