Have you ever wondered what happened during Angela Lee’s 2017 car accident? The MMA world was stunned when the ONE Championship atomweight champion recently revealed the truth behind that fateful night. It wasn’t just a simple crash – it was a deliberate attempt to end her life. This shocking revelation has opened up a crucial conversation about mental health in combat sports and beyond.
Let’s dive into the details of Angela Lee’s car accident, her journey to recovery, and how she’s now using her experience to help others through her nonprofit, Fightstory.
The Incident
On a dark November night in 2017, Angela Lee found herself driving on a dangerous stretch of highway in Hawaii. But this wasn’t just a late-night cruise. Lee was in the midst of a mental health crisis, struggling with the immense pressure of an upcoming title defense and a brutal weight cut. She’d already tried to injure herself to avoid the fight, attempting to break her arm and give herself a concussion. Now, she was leaving her fate up to chance.
Lee pressed the gas pedal to the floor, her car speeding towards a guardrail. In her own words, “I wanted to hit the guardrail as hard as I could, and I just remember turning the steering wheel and swerving and then hitting something, and then it was just … rolling. Rolling and rolling and rolling.”
Miraculously, Lee survived the crash. Her car had flipped over five or six times, but she escaped with only a concussion and some minor burns. At the time, and for years afterward, the incident was reported as an accident caused by Lee falling asleep at the wheel. The truth, however, was far more complex and heartbreaking.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Date of Accident | November 2017 |
| Location | Hawaii |
| Nature of Accident | Initially reported as a car crash due to falling asleep at the wheel; later revealed as a suicide attempt |
| Angela Lee’s Injuries | Concussion, minor burns |
| Vehicle Damage | The car flipped 5-6 times, considered a total loss |
| Immediate Aftermath | Angela Lee survived with non-life-threatening injuries |
| Mental Health Factors | Intense pressure from the upcoming title defense, extreme weight cut |
| Recovery | Physical and mental health recovery, including therapy and support |
| Public Revelation | Angela Lee disclosed the true nature of the accident in an article for The Players’ Tribune |
| Impact on Career | Brief hiatus from fighting, return to MMA, continued success in ONE Championship |
| Nonprofit Work | Establishment of Fightstory, a nonprofit focused on mental health awareness and support |
| Sister’s Tragedy | Angela Lee’s sister, Victoria Lee, took her own life in December 2022 |
| Advocacy | Angela Lee has become an advocate for mental health, sharing her story to help others |
Causes of Car Accident or Death
The real cause of Angela Lee’s car accident wasn’t drowsiness or road conditions. It was a deliberate suicide attempt stemming from intense mental health struggles. Lee was facing overwhelming pressure to make weight for her upcoming title defense in ONE Championship. The weight-cutting process had become unbearable, and Lee felt trapped.
“I had gotten to a point where I had pushed my mind and body too far,” Lee explained. “I couldn’t stop thinking about the shame that would result if I wasn’t able to make the fight.” This mindset led her to believe that taking herself “out of the equation” was the only option left.
Lee’s story highlights the dangerous mental and physical toll that extreme weight-cutting can have on MMA fighters. It also sheds light on the immense pressure athletes face to perform and maintain their champion status.
Legal Proceedings
Since Angela Lee’s car accident was initially reported as an unintentional crash, there were no legal proceedings related to the incident. However, her recent revelation about the true nature of the accident raises questions about how such situations are handled in professional sports.
ONE Championship, Lee’s promotion, has been supportive of her decision to share her story and focus on mental health advocacy. There’s been no indication of any retroactive disciplinary action or legal consequences for Lee’s admission.
Personal Background
Angela Lee is a Canadian-American mixed martial artist of Singaporean, Chinese, and Korean descent. Born on July 8, 1996, she began training in martial arts at a young age under the guidance of her parents, who are both martial artists themselves.
Lee made her professional MMA debut in 2015 and quickly rose to prominence in ONE Championship. She became the youngest person to win a world title in MMA history when she captured the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship in 2016 at the age of 19.
Her success in the cage was accompanied by immense pressure, especially when it came to maintaining her weight for title defenses. This pressure contributed significantly to the mental health struggles that led to her 2017 suicide attempt.
Tragically, mental health issues have affected Lee’s family beyond her own experience. In December 2022, Lee’s younger sister, Victoria Lee, also a promising MMA fighter, took her own life at the age of 18. This loss further fueled Angela’s dedication to mental health advocacy and led to the creation of Fightstory.
Road Safety Tips
While Angela Lee’s car accident wasn’t caused by typical road safety issues, her story does highlight the importance of mental health awareness for all drivers. Here are some tips to help ensure safety on the road:
- Never drive when you’re emotionally distressed or having suicidal thoughts. Seek help immediately.
- If you’re feeling drowsy, pull over and rest or switch drivers.
- Always wear your seatbelt – it saved Lee’s life even in her intentional crash.
- Be aware of your mental state before getting behind the wheel.
- Keep emergency numbers, including mental health hotlines, easily accessible in your vehicle.
Remember, safe driving isn’t just about protecting yourself – it’s about keeping everyone on the road safe. The Taylor Brannin accident, Abby Lynn Robinson car accident, and Abigail Madden car accident remind us all of the precious lives at stake every time we get behind the wheel.
Conclusion
Angela Lee’s car accident story is more than just a tale of survival – it’s a powerful reminder of the hidden struggles many athletes face. By sharing her experience, Lee has sparked an important conversation about mental health in MMA and beyond. Her nonprofit, Fightstory, now serves as a platform for others to share their mental health battles and find support.
Lee’s journey from a secret suicide attempt to becoming a mental health advocate shows that recovery is possible, even from the darkest moments. Her openness about her struggles with weight cutting, performance pressure, and the tragic loss of her sister Victoria has helped break down stigmas surrounding mental health in combat sports.
As Lee continues to fight her battles both in and out of the cage, her story serves as an inspiration to many. She reminds us that it’s okay to not be okay and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Through Fightstory and her public advocacy, Angela Lee is turning her tragedy into a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. Remember, you’re not alone in this fight.
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