Teen speaks out about texting crash

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - He's putting a face to the dangers of texting while driving.

Jeffrey Pula was the passenger in a car involved in a serious accident.

The driver of the car was texting while behind the wheel.

Now Jeffrey, once a star athlete, is left with the consequences.

He told 22News, “When we started going around the corner, I was like you're missing a turn and instead of hitting the brake he slammed on the gas and we head first into a tree." 

And in that moment, Jeffrey Pula began a fight for his life.

The 17-year-old suffered five strokes on his way to the hospital.

The injury to his brain left him in a coma.

His mother, Marcelle, said, “They told me he would not walk talk eat and probably be a vegetable. I just didn't accept that. There were people who said that there was nothing in there and I said there is, I know he's in there, so."

His mother was right and nine moths later he woke up.

His injuries left him blind, but he's grateful.

Jeffrey explained, “I don't really care that I can't see anymore I’m just glad I’m here and able to laugh everyday."

He's using his story to help prevent further tragedy.

He appeared in a public service announcement for our 22News X the Text Campaign and goes from school to school talking about the dangers of texting while driving.

"It's not even worth taking your eyes off the road for a second," said Jeffrey.

Jeffrey is now 20-years-old and hopes to become a teacher in the future.