Anguished family members speak out after DUI crash seriously injures loved one
A family in Commerce City is hoping their tragedy is a warning to others to not drink and drive after their loved one was critically injured in a DUI crash.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (KDVR) — A family in Commerce City is hoping their tragedy is a warning to others to not drink and drive after their loved one was critically injured in a DUI crash.
It happened earlier this month around 10 p.m. near Highway 2 and 96th in Commerce City.
Talon Garcia and his relatives spent hours at the Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton checking on his aunt Brooke Marquez.
"Just seeing her crying and screaming in pain just from simple movements like sitting up or moving her legs," Garcia said. "It's just a hard thing to watch someone you love go through.”
Garcia came to the crash scene moments after police said Brooke was hit by a suspected drunk driver.
"She was coming home from work. She was about five or 10 minutes away from her house. She turned left onto 96 and I believe a drunk driver ran a red light and T-boned her," said Gracia. "Causing her to spin out to the other side of the road. “
First responders helped cut her from the vehicle. An alert from Brooke's Apple Watch alerted Garcia's mother and first responders of the crash.
“It was critical to get emergency services there and alerting her family she was in danger," said Garcia, "It helped us get there as quick as we did."
The crash left the single mom of three hospitalized for a little more than a week. She has had three surgeries in that time.
"Every day seems to be a fight for her," said Garcia. "She’s staying strong for her kids and family.”
Once he learned the circumstances of the crash, he was devastated.
“Sad, disappointed," Garcia said. "It's hard to hear people would rather make the decision to drink and drive to put others at risk. Rather than choosing the many other alternatives to get home."
He has this message for drivers.
“Think of others before yourself if you're making that conscious decision to put others at risk. It's not a good idea knowing you could kill someone, hurt a family member and cause all this pain and suffering for everyone," said Garcia. "Just because you don’t want to make the decision to call an Uber or have someone else come pick you up. Just think twice before you put others at risk.”
A Commerce City police spokesperson didn't say if any arrests were made but told FOX31 the driver would be charged with DUI vehicular assault if the victim had serious bodily injury, which she is currently recovering from.
The single mom of three is out of work for a while as she continues to recover from her injuries. The family has set up a Gofundme to help her out during this difficult time.
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