VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia Beach teenager is being lifted up by family and friends as she recovers from a serious car accident. 

Many in the Virginia Beach community say Sedonia Triepel is loved by so many and heavily involved in her community.

The First Colonial High School student was badly injured in a car crash just before Christmas. The crash happened on December 19 on Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach. According to family and friends, she was put on life support because of a brain injury.

On Friday, well over 100 gathered at Galilee Episcopal Church to pray for continued success in her recovery.  

“She has come off a ventilator…she has opened her eyes,” said Carrie Triepel, Sedonia’s mother. “I have complete faith, she is going to be restored.”

Monday, Triepel will travel by air ambulance to Shepherds Center in Atlanta, which specializes in the treatment and rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries and acquired brain injury according to it’s website.

Father Patrick Bush of Galilee Church says Sedonia is a special girl.

“She is a very driven, very focused young lady,” said Father Bush. “She’s stable and alive and she’s doing as best as she can and continued prayers will help her through. Even in the dire darkness of the situation, there’s almost hope, there’s always love.”

Following the service, wrist bands were handed out with Sedonia’s favorite bible verse listed: Jeremiah 29: 11