Haley Mihm knows just what it takes to make the internet stop scrolling.
The fitness influencer has built herself a solid fanbase through her workout posts, swimsuit photoshoots, and leg day videos that often go viral. And her “How to Kick a Soccer Ball” meme even made it to Know Your Meme.
But she is also a survivor of a very serious car accident, an issue that has been previously unknown to the public.
“I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret,” Mihm explained. “When it happened, I was focused on getting better, not figuring out how to talk about it online. I’m doing really good now, and it feels easier to share without making it this huge thing.”
According to Newtalk KZRG and citing the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on May 3, 2024, near Neosho, Missouri. The Dodge Charger she was traveling in veered off the road on a curve and rolled a few times.
In total, four people got injured in the accident, but Mihm was the only one with severe injuries. They took her to a hospital in Joplin for further treatment.
Photos of the aftermath of the accident show the heavily damaged car, with a crushed hood, broken windshield, and dented roof. From behind, it looks like the car trunk is torn off and the wheel is exposed.
“It’s kind of surreal looking back at those pictures,” Mihm shared. “I knew it was bad, but seeing everything from the outside is different. It’s hard to believe I was actually in the middle of that.”
The accident left marks not only on the car but also on the influencer’s body. Photos show a series of stitches on her leg, while the scar has already attracted some attention from her online followers.
In September, Mihm posted runway footage of her modeling a leopard-print bikini as a tribute to New York Fashion Week. A comment asking about the “back story on your leg” went unanswered.
Mihm’s story comes shortly before National Seat Belt Day on Nov. 14, celebrated annually since 2019 to promote proper seat belt use by drivers and passengers alike.
“More than two years later, I still think about it every time I buckle up,” Mihm said. “Most days, you get in the car and assume you’ll get where you’re going. I don’t take that for granted anymore.”
