Just before midnight on Sunday, February 22, 2004, Maria Federici was driving home from work.

She was in the southbound lanes of 1-405 at Renton near Northeast 30th, when an entertainment center fell from the back of a trailer in front of her. A 2 foot by 6 foot piece of particle board flew through her windshield, hitting her in the face.

The other driver did not stop.

She was critically injured and taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Doctors told her mother her injuries were so severe that her survival was hopeless.

Miraculously, she survived. However, Maria has permanently lost her eyesight and has had to endure a complete facial reconstruction, multiple surgeries, and hours upon hours of grueling physical therapy.

If you don't think litter can hurt, just ask Maria.

PLEASE SECURE YOUR LOAD!

For more information on Maria, you can visit her website at: http://www.mariasmiracle.com/index.html