Brieonna Cassell speaks out for 1st time after surviving for 6 days after Newton County car crash in Northwest Indiana
Share and Follow

NEWTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) — The Northwest Indiana woman who was trapped in her crashed car for six days is speaking out for the first time.

Brieonna Cassell was found alive on Tuesday by a good Samaritan in rural Newton County, Indiana.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Cassell’s family said she spent the day Thursday with friends recovering as she prepares for another surgery. Meanwhile, ABC7 is learning more from her about the lengths it took to survive.

From her hospital bed, Cassell told Inside Edition about her incredible story of survival and how she kept going. She sharing what went through her mind after being found alive in her car nearly a week after crashing into a ditch.

“I really don’t know,” Cassell said. “I just kept going. Giving up wasn’t an option.”

Her family shared new photos Thursday of friends visiting her in the hospital.

The Indiana mother of three, recovering from a successful surgery Wednesday to fix her arm, is now on antibiotics for her legs. Cassell’s mother said doctors are working to get the infection on her legs under control.

In her interview with Inside Edition, she said he veered off the road after falling asleep at the wheel and crashed her car into a ditch in Newton County. Her phone had no battery left and she couldn’t move, so she could not call for help.

Cassell told Inside Edition she survived being trapped in her car for six days by taking her hooded sweatshirt, lowering it into the creek just so she could suck the water from the fabric.

“I just did what I thought I had to do,” Cassell said. “I kept myself comfortable. I kept myself calm. I kept myself warm, and I kept drinking water.”

After nearly six days, Cassell told her family that she had nearly given up hope before a good Samaritan found her car.

She suffered seven broken ribs, a broken arm and both of her legs left with compound fractures in the crash.

Cassell’s parents said she has another surgery scheduled for Friday.

Her daughter said doctors are still not sure if they can save her legs.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Man arrested for allegedly taking photos of young girls at fairground

Man detained over claims of photographing young girls at amusement park

A San Bernardino County man was arrested for allegedly taking photos of…
Arrest made in connection with Palisades Fire investigation in Los Angeles County, source says

Suspect Apprehended in Los Angeles County for Palisades Fire Investigation

LOS ANGELES — An arrest has been made in connection with the…
Texas troops in Chicago sparks feuds between state leaders, Trump

Texas Troops’ Presence in Chicago Causes Disputes Between State Leaders and Trump

AUSTIN (KXAN) Members of the Texas National Guard have touched down in…
Jury deliberates in double-jury trial of Johnson, Garard

Jury Considers Verdicts in Johnson and Garard’s Dual Trial

The double-jury murder trial for Marcel Johnson and Kentrevious Garard is coming…
2 'narco-banners' purportedly threaten Americans visiting or living in Mexico

Two ‘Narco-Banners’ Allegedly Warn Americans Traveling or Residing in Mexico

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Two banners reportedly left behind by members…
Juries do not come to verdict in double-jury murder trial

“Double-Jury Murder Trial Ends Without a Verdict”

After deliberating for hours, juries in the double-jury murder trial for Marcel…
Shorter school weeks? Study finds 4-day weeks may not help all students

Texas Dad Files Lawsuit Against School District Over Daughter Serenity Baker’s Passing

() The father of Serenity Baker, a Texas middle schooler fatally stabbed…
Manager of famed strip club gunned down near home in blue city as police hunt for killer

Manager of famed strip club gunned down near home in blue city as police hunt for killer

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Police in Santa Rosa…