Texas prom queen who overcame 2% survival odds at birth killed in crash en route to first job

A Texas prom queen who had already overcome extraordinary odds in her young life was killed on her way to a new summer job after losing control of her car and rear-ending a commercial truck.

Makynna Eden Tumlinson, from the small town of Tom Bean, Texas, located about an hour north of Dallas, died on June 3 on State Highway 11, the state Department of Public Safety told CBS News.

Her mother, Stephanie Tumlinson, said she and Makynna shared what would become their final words just moments before the teen drove off in her Chevrolet Cruze.

“She was on her way to a new job, and we had spoken just before she left for work,” the mother told local KXII News.

Makynna Tumlinson, 18, died in a crash while on her way to a new summer job.

After Makynna’s father, Tommy Tumlinson, checked his daughter’s location and found it at the crash site, he drove to the scene.

“From that point on, we were just panicking, you know, hoping they got something wrong,” the distraught mother told KXII.

The truck’s driver, 37-year-old Hector Ivan Mejia Garcia of Allen, Texas, was taken to a local hospital with suspected minor injuries, the DPS said.

The tragedy was compounded by Makynna’s miraculous start in life, her family said.

“When she was born, we were given a 2% chance that she would make it, that she would be born stillborn,” Stephanie Tumlinson said. “She beat those odds.”

Mykanna’s mom and dad said her nickname was Sunshine “because she brightened everyone’s day.”

Although Makynna’s life was short, her family said she lived her 18 years to the fullest. She was a cheerleader, student council president and prom queen.

“I’m hoping she’s known for the girl that never turned down a friend, that she would have befriended anyone of all ages.”

Makynna’s senior parking space at her school has become a memorial filled with flowers, stuffed animals and candles.

And the family is left to grapple with an unimaginable loss.

he teen was named prom queen at Tom Bean high school.
KXII

“Nobody should have to bury their children … I keep thinking that it’s a nightmare that I”m going to wake up from and that she’s going to walk in the door,” added Stephanie Tumlinson.