(UPDATE 8/18/21 AT 1:40 P.M ET): Alyssa released the following statement on Twitter about the accident: “Yesterday, my family suffered a terrifying and traumatic event. I was a passenger in a car my Uncle Mitch was driving when he suffered a serious heart attack, resulting in a car crash. I am grateful tot he people who stopped to help us. I’ll never be able to thank them enough for the care and attention they, along with the first responders, doctors, nurses and staff at UCLA Medical Center paid to him and me. Uncle Mitch is such an important part of our family. He’s with us every day, spending time with my children and present in every meaningful part of our lives. He’s still in the hospital and we are unsure if he will recover. I hope that you — and especially you in the media — will afford him and my family the kindness of privacy as we move through this incredibly painful time. Please, take this as your inspiration to get CPR certified. You don’t know when you’ll be called upon to save a life. The American Red Cross and many hospitals and other organizations offer regular classes. It’s such a small effort and can have a huge impact.”
(ORIGINAL STORY): Alyssa Milano was involved in a scary car accident with her uncle, Mitch, on Aug. 17. Alyssa was a passenger in Mitch’s car when he began having a medical emergency, according to TMZ. Upon realizing the danger, the actress reportedly reached across the front seat and stopped the car with her hand. Mitch suffered an apparent heart attack while driving and hit another vehicle before Alyssa was able to slam on the brakes.
However, once the car stopped, her mission wasn’t over. She reportedly gave her uncle CPR until first responders arrived on the scene, according to TMZ’s law enforcement sources. A rep for the actress confirmed to the site that Alyssa’s uncle is still being treated in the hospital. HollywoodLife has reached out for further comment.
It has not been confirmed whether or not Alyssa suffered any injuries from the crash herself. However, her quick thinking and stopping the vehicle stopped this from becoming a much worse situation. Alyssa has not publicly commented on the accident herself at this time.
In recent months, Alyssa has been using her platform to urge her followers to get vaccinated amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Alyssa was diagnosed with COVID in 2020 before a vaccine was available, and she suffered brutal side effects from the virus. In fact, as of May 2021, she was still dealing with long-term effects from the coronavirus, including shortness of breath, aches and pains, exhaustion and more.
“I’m done with fighting it, so I’ve kind of just almost surrendered to the idea that this might be how I feel now for the rest of my life,” she admitted. “But I try to rest more and drink lots of water and take my supplements and do the best that I can.” She filmed a PSA with the Creative Coalition to spread awareness about the vaccine, adding, “The vaccine is completely safe for people who have had COVID and I think it’s really important for everyone, including those who have had COVID, to get vaccinated.”