Former Miss New Jersey Cara McCollum Critically Injured In Car Crash
Cara McCollum, the winner of the Miss New Jersey competition in 2013 and a Miss America contestant in 2014 was critically injured in a crash on Monday night, NBC New York reports. McCollum, who turned 24 just a week ago, was driving her Ford Mustang convertible along Route 55, Salem County, New Jersey, when the vehicle spun out of control and hit a tree. She was also working as an anchor for a local TV show.
The accident happened in Pittsgrove Township and according to reports, after hitting the first tree, the vehicle spun and hit two more trees before finally coming to rest on an embankment. Initial reports say that the vehicle was traveling at a high speed when the accident happened. According to officials, the wet conditions on the road combined with the high speed of Cara’s car could have contributed to the accident. Officials ruled out the possibility of drugs or alcohol being involved. McCollum was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. The airbags in the vehicle had deployed as well. Officials confirmed that she was the only person in the vehicle at the time.
According to Heavy, Cara McCollum suffered head injuries and was taken to the Cooper Health Systems in Camden, New Jersey, where her condition remains critical after undergoing brain surgery. Officials have not released any further details on the extent of her injuries. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident.
McCollum currently works as an anchor for SNJ Today, a TV news show serving the southern Jersey area. Her colleagues from the show have issued a statement on the show’s official Facebook page that read;
“Cara McCollum, SNJ Today news anchor, is recovering from critical injuries sustained in an accident last evening. Cara is a beloved member of our SNJ Today family. She and her family are in our thoughts and prayers. SNJ Today News can be found on WACP Channel 4 in South Jersey and WACP Channel 26 in Cape May and Atlantic Counties weeknights at 7 and 11 p.m.”
McCollum had joined SNJ in July 2015 after she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English with a certificate in journalism from Princeton University. Cara is a native of Arkansas and was valedictorian of the class of 2010 at Forrest City High School in Forrest City, Arkansas. She became famous in 2013 after winning the Miss New Jersey pageant that year. The next year, she went on to participate in the Miss America pageant as well.
It remains unclear if McCollum suffered from a medical condition that could have caused the crash. She had earlier revealed that she suffers from a rare tumor due to which she can only use nine of her fingers.
Cara McCollum was active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and was active on the day of her accident as well. A few tweets from her official account are embedded below. The last post made by her, however,was on her Instagram account in which she wished everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day.
It’s my birthday and I’ll eat #cake with my #puppy‘s face on it for breakfast if I want to!???????? pic.twitter.com/Nqmr1x6vxv
— Cara McCollum (@CaraMcCollum_TV) February 6, 2016
We at @SNJToday take womens heart health very seriously! Rockin red on #WearRedDay #NJGoRed @AHANewJersey @AHAPhilly pic.twitter.com/3Qtbn8OVCq
— Cara McCollum (@CaraMcCollum_TV) February 6, 2016
Swung by the @F0RZAFITNESS studio this morning for a little #aerialyoga. Tune in to @SNJToday this Friday for more! pic.twitter.com/oQECKHYTce
— Cara McCollum (@CaraMcCollum_TV) January 18, 2016
Cara is reportedly dating NBC Philadelphia anchor Keith Jones. Several photos of the duo posing together have been posted online.
[Images Via Faccebook]
