You’ve probably seen the clip by now. It’s hard to miss. One second, Nina Santiago—better known as NinaUnrated—is mid-bite into a salmon slider, laughing with Patrick Blackwood about the food at Cuvee Culinary Creations in Houston. The next second? Chaos. Total, glass-shattering chaos.
A white SUV barrels straight through the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling window. It doesn't just tap the glass. It obliterates it. Patrick, sitting on the outside of the booth, gets showered in shards as he instinctively tries to shield Nina. It’s the kind of video that makes you double-check your surroundings the next time you sit by a window. Honestly, looking at the footage, it's a miracle they walked away with just cuts and bruises.
The Viral Moment That Changed Everything
Most people know Nina and Patrick as the duo behind "Unrated EX Files," a YouTube channel that basically lives and breathes food reviews. They travel, they eat, and they give their raw opinions. But on August 17, 2025, the review became the story.
The "Final Destination" vibes were real. Some skeptics on TikTok even tried to claim the video was AI-generated because of how "perfectly" the camera stayed upright during the impact. It wasn't AI. It was a terrifying reality that left both creators in the hospital. Nina later shared photos on Instagram showing a nasty gash on her wrist and bruising across her face. Patrick took a hit to his chest and thigh.
💡 You might also like: Kellyanne Conway Age: Why Her 59th Year Matters More Than Ever
The driver? Investigated and found not to be impaired. It was labeled a "freak accident," though the legal aftermath is far from over.
Life Before the Crash: Who are Nina and Patrick?
Long before the Houston incident, Nina Santiago was building a massive digital footprint. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Boston, she moved into modeling at 19. She didn't just stay in front of the lens for photos, though. She wanted to act. YouTube became her stage—a place to test out comedy skits, beauty tips, and eventually, the mukbang style videos that earned her a loyal following.
Patrick Blackwood's path was different. He was an athlete first, a football player who even had a stint trying out for the Cleveland Browns. Nina was actually the one who pushed him toward content creation eight years ago when he was in a "mental slump" after football.
📖 Related: Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
They aren't just business partners. They’ve been through the "thick and thin" stuff together. Patrick has been vocal about how Nina supported him when even his own family didn't quite get his vision. From modeling in Florida to hitting 10 million views every 48 hours on some of his solo content, they’ve built an empire of food and lifestyle media.
The $1 Million Lawsuit and the Aftermath
Healing from a crash like that isn't just about the physical cuts. There's the trauma of "what if."
- The Lawsuit: Nina and Patrick, represented by high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee, filed a $1 million lawsuit against the property owners.
- The Argument: The claim is simple—the restaurant lacked the necessary safety barriers (like bollards) to protect diners from a vehicle entering the pedestrian space.
- The Impact: Beyond the money, the couple has been vocal about how this changed their perspective on life.
Nina’s posts after the accident were heavy on gratitude. She mentioned her dog, Loyal, who passed away in late 2024, believing the "angel pup" was watching over them during the impact. It’s a sentiment that resonated with her fans, many of whom have followed her through her various YouTube eras, from the early vlogmas days to the high-energy food tours in Las Vegas and Miami.
👉 See also: Jeremy Renner Accident Recovery: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Why NinaUnrated and Patrick Blackwood Still Matter in 2026
The influencer world moves fast. One day you're trending, the next you're forgotten. But Nina and Patrick have stayed relevant because they didn't just lean into the "victim" narrative. They went back to work, but with a different edge.
They’re still reviewing food, sure. But the content feels a bit more grounded now. They’ve addressed the "is it real?" rumors head-on, showing the hospital receipts and the scars. In a world of fake drama and staged pranks, the Cuvee crash was a stark reminder that these people are real, and their lives can change in a heartbeat.
If you're following their journey, here is the current state of play:
- Legal Proceedings: The lawsuit is navigating the Texas court system, focusing on property safety standards.
- Content Shift: More "behind the scenes" and personal vlogs on the Unrated EX Files channel compared to just straight food reviews.
- Physical Recovery: Both are back to filming, though they’ve admitted to being a lot more nervous about where they sit in public now.
The takeaway from the NinaUnrated and Patrick Blackwood story isn't just about a viral crash. It’s about the resilience of two people who built a career out of nothing, survived a near-death experience, and are now using their platform to remind their audience that "tomorrow is not promised."
For those looking to stay safe while dining out, pay attention to the layout of the restaurants you frequent. While you can't predict a "freak accident," advocating for better safety barriers in high-traffic pedestrian areas is a practical step that influencers like Nina and Patrick are now championing. Keep an eye on their YouTube channels for the latest updates on their health and the progress of their legal case.