Elizabeth Potalivo, a 36-year-old woman from Spring Mills, used to be renowned for her captivating personality. She possessed the unique ability to effortlessly make connections with people, so much so that she could enter a room filled with 20 individuals and leave with 20 newfound friends.
Tragically, she lost her life in a solo car accident and was declared deceased at UPMC Williamsport at 5:52 a.m. on Friday.
“I never fully understood the phrase that parents should never outlive their children, and now I fully get it,” Elizabeth’s father, Chris Potalivo, said. “That sense of emptiness right now is just profound.”
Elizabeth’s father, Chris Potalivo, acknowledges the truth in those accounts. However, he believes that there is more to the story that needs to be shared with the community. His intention is not only to debunk any rumors but also to inspire other families dealing with similar challenges to seek assistance.
The Potalivo family still holds dear memories of Elizabeth’s childhood, including her remarkable ability to achieve straight A’s at State High and the memorable moment when she and her sister shared a fit of giggles while navigating their sinking pontoon boat back to the dock at Raystown Lake. However, alongside these cherished moments, there are also more somber recollections, such as Elizabeth’s five trips to rehab and her two to three stays in jail.
Chris raised an important question, pondering, “Was this suicide?” He firmly believed that it was, whether she intentionally got into the car with the intention to end her life or if she had reached a breaking point where she simply wanted it all to be over. Chris found her actions inside the vehicle, such as leaving her seat belt unbuckled, to be completely out of character for her.
Chris found himself at a loss about a decade ago when Elizabeth fell into a deep depression and subsequently resorted to alcohol and drugs, specifically huffing. He reflects on how things might have turned out differently if he had sought help from the Centre County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention and Drug & Alcohol Office located at 3500 E. College Ave., State College during that difficult time.
A decade ago, Chris and his wife were faced with the challenge of figuring everything out as they navigated through a difficult period. Elizabeth, a promising pre-med student at Penn State, had her life abruptly changed by a car accident that caused her to be ejected from the vehicle.
Despite miraculously avoiding any broken bones, Elizabeth did suffer permanent brain damage, as doctors discovered through two MRIs. The damage caused her to experience frequent memory lapses, leading one doctor to doubt her ability to graduate college, according to Chris. However, Elizabeth was not one to accept defeat easily. This determination was evident even in her early years, when she insisted on playing the role of the Gingerbread Man in a kindergarten play, despite the teacher’s suggestion that the character should be male.
Elizabeth maintained her steadfast mindset throughout her journey. In pursuit of a fresh start, she decided to transfer to the University of Colorado. There, she deliberately chose the “easiest major” available, which happened to be Modern Egyptian History. Determined to succeed, Elizabeth successfully graduated from the university. She then secured an internship as a regional representative at Budweiser, eventually landing a full-time position. However, her employment came to an abrupt end when she failed a drug test. Despite marijuana being legal in Colorado, it was not permitted in the states she would represent. This setback sent Elizabeth into a downward spiral, ultimately leading her to homelessness. Recognizing her struggle, Chris stepped in and brought her back to Centre County.
She underwent a profound change. According to Chris, on the day of the most recent accident, his daughter reached out to her aunt, expressing her need for assistance. They were en route to a psychiatric center to seek that help when Elizabeth stumbled upon an aerosol can in the backseat and started inhaling its contents.
Elizabeth’s aunt, realizing that no establishment would allow someone who was under the influence, decided to turn back. They decided to try again the next day. However, unbeknownst to her aunt, Elizabeth took matters into her own hands and drove off, as Chris later revealed.
Less than 24 hours later, the Lycoming County coroner made the determination that she had died as a result of “accidental and multiple blunt force contact.” It is still pending for the toxicology test results, which are typically conducted in cases of fatal crashes like this.
Chris, driven by his daughter’s personal challenges, currently serves as the chairman of the Centre County Mental Health & Intellectual Disabilities Advisory Board. He strongly advocates for a comprehensive reform of the state’s mental health system, emphasizing the urgent need for improved mental health facilities in Centre County. Reflecting on a distressing incident in the past, Chris recalls the unsettling experience when a local psychiatric center essentially discharged his daughter alone at 1 a.m. Additionally, he shares his frustration with the limited options available, as Elizabeth was referred to a transition program in the Altoona area, but she was reluctant to uproot her life and start anew elsewhere.
According to the speaker, the mental health professionals in the community did not fail the individual. Instead, he believes that the problem lies with the mental health program in Pennsylvania. He compares the state’s mental health system to the ill-fated Titanic, stating that regardless of the efforts made by the crew, the ship was destined to sink due to its flawed design.
Chris is determined to make a positive impact and prevent other families from going through the same heartache. He frequently refers to the tragic death of Osaze Osagie, a State College resident who was fatally shot by the police during a mental health warrant. Chris emphasizes the need for greater actions and measures to address such situations effectively.
Elizabeth’s life may have come to an end, but that doesn’t imply that her story has to be concluded as well.
