Woman, 22, left paralyzed after being struck with huge tree branch during windstorm

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 06:37, 29 May 2026 | Updated: 06:56, 29 May 2026 A California woman was left paralyzed after being crushed by a massive tree branch during a sweeping windstorm. Jasmine Mayer, 22, was sitting with her best friend near Steele Lane Elementary School in Santa Rosa, about one hour north of San Francisco, on May 17 when the branch suddenly fell on her. 'She was knitting and talking to her friend, and the branch came right down on them,' Andy Mayer, her father, told the San Francisco Chronicle. 'We've talked about it since,' he added. 'There's no anger. There's no drunk driver. It's just an unimaginable incident.' Mayer suffered a severe spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae and broken and bruised ribs, according to a GoFundMe page started by her close friend Lauren Kelleher. She was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center to be treated for her injuries. Her lower body is paralyzed, though she is starting to feel 'some pins–and–needles–type sensation' in her legs and feet. As of Friday about $51,800 of a $100,000 goal had been raised to cover Mayer's care, rehabilitation, mobility aids and new housing. A massive tree branch fell on Jasmine Mayer, 22, on May 17 in Santa Rosa, about one hour north of San Francisco Mayer suffered a severe spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae and broken and bruised ribs. She was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center to undergo surgery and treatment Mayer underwent surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center, where she continues to undergo treatment. Her father said that doctors found internal bleeding and also treated a blood clot. 'Her injuries were catastrophic,' Andy Mayer said. Mayer underwent surgery on Wednesday to continue treating her wounds, and skin is expected to be grafted from some of the wounded areas. Plus, doctors will fuse some of Mayer's disks. 'It's nothing unexpected with the severity of her injuries,' her father added. 'Her tissues and skin got pretty shredded.' Mayer's spinal cord was not completely severed and her father said they were both hopeful she could bounce back. 'She's going to work hard on her recovery,' he added. Mayer was sitting with her best friend near Steele Lane Elementary School (pictured) when the branch fell on her and caused severe injuries The National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area forecast winds of up to 60 mph on the weekend of Mayer's injury (Photo of strong winds in California) Going forward, Mayer will require a larger and more accessible vehicle. She will also need new transportation as she adjusts to her new lifestyle after being crushed by the falling branch. 'Our goal is to get her the best possible equipment,' her dad Andy said. He remarked that her positivity had not changed despite the traumatic ordeal. 'She's been kind to everyone through the pain,' he said. 'She's been a positive person, and that hasn't changed at all.' On the weekend of Mayer's injury, the National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area had forecast winds of up to 60 miles per hour, according to USA TODAY. In Santa Rosa, 61–year–old Ralph Harrington died after being hit by a fallen branch. The Daily Mail has reached out to Kelleher, who is organizing the fundraiser, for further comment.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.