The 17-year-old suffered a skull fracture and brain bleeds after a sharp turn sent her from a moving car in a parking lot.
VANCOUVER, WA — A 17-year-old high school student remains hospitalized with a severe traumatic brain injury after she was thrown through the open sunroof of a moving vehicle during a sharp turn in a Vancouver parking lot, according to police and her family.
Elexis Robinson was injured Nov. 3 while standing through the sunroof as another 17-year-old girl drove through a parking lot at 850 SE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver police said. Officers were called at about 8:20 p.m. and found Robinson on the ground. She was taken to an area hospital with injuries police described at the time as life-threatening.
Investigators said the vehicle had been traveling at high speed through the parking lot when the driver made a sharp turn. Robinson was thrown from the sunroof and struck the pavement, police said. The Vancouver Police Department Traffic Unit opened an investigation and said shortly after the incident that no additional information was being released.
Robinson’s family has since identified her publicly and disclosed more about the extent of her injuries. A family fundraiser organized by Tricha Linares says Robinson suffered a skull fracture, three brain bleeds and a severe traumatic brain injury. The family said she faces extensive medical care and rehabilitation as doctors monitor her recovery.
Robinson’s mother told KGW that her daughter has spent much of her time sleeping since the injury and can become confused and disoriented when awake. Her long-term outlook remains uncertain. The family has said doctors may need months before they can determine how much of her previous functioning she will regain.
The teenager was approaching the end of high school before the injury. Her family said she had worked hard in school, was on track to graduate with honors and was only a small number of credits away from completing her requirements. The family has emphasized that her recovery, rather than her academic timeline, is now the immediate concern.
In the fundraiser, Robinson’s family described the injury as a sudden change to their lives and said they expect medical treatment, rehabilitation and related expenses to continue. “In a matter of moments, our entire world was turned upside down,” Linares wrote.
Police have not publicly identified the teenage driver, and officials have not announced any citation or criminal charge in connection with the incident. Authorities also have not publicly released a final determination about the circumstances leading to the high-speed driving. The other teenager’s identity is being withheld because she is a minor and has not been publicly charged.
Robinson’s mother has described the incident as a serious mistake involving two teenagers. She has said she wants the other girl to understand the consequences of what happened but does not want another teenager’s future destroyed. Police have not said whether their investigation has reached any conclusions about possible legal consequences.
As of Nov. 14, Robinson’s family continues to describe her recovery as uncertain and potentially lengthy. The Vancouver Police Department’s most recent public statement said its Traffic Unit was continuing to investigate the incident, with no further details released.
Author note: Last updated November 14, 2026.