UPDATED: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET
WWE Diva Rosa Mendes was in a car accident in Las Vegas early Friday evening. Released from the hospital late Friday night, Rosa suffered serious whiplash but no other major injuries were reported. (
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE)
An accident involving at least five cars occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. after a Mercedes in a turning lane reportedly switched lanes, causing a truck to jackknife and a series of successive collisions.
A passenger in her friend’s black Hummer, Rosa and the driver were stopped at a light when they were struck from behind by a car that was also hit and moving at high speed.
"We were talking when all of a sudden, I saw in my rear view mirror a truck coming really fast. It jackknifed," Rosa told WWE.com early Saturday morning.
"We were the last car hit, so we had the most impact," she said. "We slid two car lengths. I didn’t know when it was going to stop. If we weren’t in the Hummer, we would’ve been seriously injured."
Rosa was wearing her seatbelt but the impact of the collision forced her to the floor of the automobile as she blocked her head from hitting the dashboard.
"My neck and back were really hurting," Rosa said. "
My body is my job. I was so scared that I was not going to be able to wrestle. I was in a lot of pain."
Rosa was immediately taken to the hospital for evaluation and released a few hours after the accident. She was instructed to rest and recover. A follow-up examination is expected with WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann.
"Nothing’s broken," she said. "I feel like I can wrestle but the whole right side of my neck and back have a burning sensation."
Though still very shaken from the incident, the WWE Diva offered an optimistic message to concerned WWE fans.
"I want [the WWE Universe] to know that I'm OK and I'm alive," Rosa said. "I'm grateful to be here because it was really, really scary."
Check back with WWE.com for updates on Rosa's condition.
