MONTEREY -- A 17-year-old San Jose girl was recovering Monday from serious injuries after falling from a third-story balcony early Sunday morning at a Monterey hotel, according to Lt. Phil Penko.

The accident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. at the Best Western Beach Resort located at 2600 Sand Dunes Drive.

Penko said the hotel was occupied by many high school students who attended the Gilroy High School senior prom.

The girl fell onto a Plexiglas awning that covered a pool area before hitting the cement. The awning is being credited with breaking her fall and possibly saving her life.

"It was definitely a serious impact but it could have been a lot worse," Penko said. "She's a lucky young lady."

The girl suffered injuries mainly to her head and legs. She underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

However investigators have not determined just how she fell because the girl is unable to be interviewed due to her condition, and none of the students apparently witnessed the fall.

Penko said alcohol could have played a role in the accident and was definitely a factor in other post-prom rowdiness at the hotel.

Just following the accident, police arrested an 18-year-old San Jose woman for public intoxication.

Hours later, police responded to the hotel again on reports of vandalism. Two San Martin men, both 20, were arrested for causing $3,200 damage to an ice machine.