JAMAICA BEACH, Texas — Jamaica Beach police officer Kristen Ornelas is still getting back in the swing of things.
It's been less than a month since she was pulled from a mangled police cruiser, fighting for her life.
“I feel pretty good," Ornelas said. "I do. Other than my neck collar, which is annoying, but I feel good. I can move around and do basic stuff again. it's nice."
Ornelas was on-duty, parked in her patrol unit on Oct. 24 when a high-speed chase flew by.
The suspect hit a Galveston police car before slamming into Ornelas. The impact was so intense, her car was tossed into another nearby vehicle.
Jamaica Beach Police Chief Brad Heiman said since then, their community really pulled together. They held a fundraiser Saturday at Jamaica Beach City Park to help with uncovered medical expenses.
Ornelas said she was surprised by how many people showed up.
“I write a bunch a tickets," she said. "To see as many people come out, it's amazing to have this kind of turnout."
The support wasn’t limited to the Jamaica Beach community. She’s had law enforcement from all over the country reach out, even officers in Canada. And she’s built a following on her Instagram page where she logs her recovery.
As for when she’ll go back to work?
“I have some doctor's appointments coming up, so we’ll see what they say," she said.
She hopes to be back on the streets by the beginning of the new year.
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