When Beatriz Ruiz thinks about her youngest daughter, Katherine Gonzalez, two dramatically different images come to mind.

There's the happy and vibrant Katherine, who somehow seemed larger than life.

VIDEO: Magnum's Force Needs Help For Family In Need

"She loves dance, the music. She's very independent. She's beautiful," said Ruiz.

Then there's the Katherine who two years ago nearly lost her life.

"She was driving to work alone. She took the turnpike north. I don't know what happened. She lost control of the car and she fell into the canal," explained Ruiz.

Miami-Dade rescue divers freed then 17-year-old Katherine from the wreckage. But, she had already suffered extensive injuries.

"I saw another girl, another daughter sleeping. It's too hard for me," said Ruiz.

Today, Katherine is home, but she's still in a coma. She lies in a hospital bed, connected to an oxygen machine, with her hands clutch her favorite teddy bears, while her mother holds on to any signs of hope.

"I talk to her. She opened her eyes. She feels as though she wants to talk to me," said Ruiz.

But Katherine hasn't spoken one word since the accident, which pains, not only her mom, but her siblings as well.

"I used to always tell her all my secrets. She was like my best friend," said Katherine's sister, Roselyn Gonzalez.

And like a good friend, Roselyn's constantly by her sister's side, while also working to help her mom cover Katherine's massive medical bills, a strain this family can no longer bear alone.

It's why they've come to Magnum's Force for help.

If you'd like to make a monetary donation to help this family with medical expenses, please make your check or money order payable to "Switchboard of Miami" and mail it to:

Local 10 News
Attn: Magnum’s Force Producer
c/o Katherine Gonzalez
3900 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33137