GREENVILLE, Pa. - In the early hours of August 2, 16-year-old Lindsay Leskovac was driving back home after dropping off a friend. During her drive, fatigue began to take over, and despite her efforts to stay alert, she eventually fell asleep behind the wheel. 

The pickup truck she was driving collided with two poles and some trees before coming to a stop near a body of water.

As she sat trapped in her truck, unable to call for help, first responders said that her iPhone 14 automatically dialed 911.  

Lindsay's mother, Laura Leskovac, said her daughter regained consciousness after hearing a dispatcher on the phone. 

" [Lindsay] must have heard the [dispatcher's] voice calling out to her, so she was actually on [the phone] for 22 minutes. This technology enabled the rescue workers to be able to find her," Laskovac said.

 The iPhone’s Crash Detection feature dialed 911, sending rescuers to the scene.

Leskovac stated that her daughter is alive today because of her iPhone.

"The person from the fire and rescue told me that 911 said the phone initiated the call, so I looked further into that to find out, you know exactly who made a call and how it happened. And I discovered that iPhones [...] have an automatic crash detection on it, if you have the setting on," Leskovac said.

As Lindsay recovers in the hospital, her mother says she wants to get the word out. Not just about the dangers of drowsy driving, but also about how families can make sure the same feature is turned on in their own phones.

How to Turn On Emergency SOS on iPhone:

 -Open Settings

-Scroll down and tap Emergency SOS

-Make sure Call After Severe Crash (or Crash Detection) is toggled ON

-Add Emergency Contacts in the Health app so they are notified if an emergency call is made

The devastating car accident has left her with multiple severe injuries, including pelvic and hip fractures and a broken cervical spine.

The teen faces a long recovery, but her family says they’re grateful--and determined to use their experience to raise awareness.