An 81-year-old mom was left fighting for her life and had both her legs amputatedafter an SUV plowed into the restaurant she were dining at.
Cristina Vargas and her daughter Gabriela were sitting outside Los Cinco Puntos in Boyle Heights with a male friend on July 7 when the vehicle came barreling toward them.
Surveillance footage shows the driver, who was allegedly impaired, traveling toward the outdoor dining area before suddenly veering onto the sidewalk.
The terrifying video captures the moment the vehicle smashes directly into the table where the three were eating.
Screeching tires can be heard just before the SUV slams into the group, sending the table and other debris flying.
Gabriela recalled the horrifying moment to KTLA: “I remember I just heard screeching and I was lifting up my head and I just saw headlights and a bumper and I heard a big boom.”
She said before she realized what was happening, she had been thrown through the air. “The next thing I knew, I was airborne.” Cristina Vargas was pinned underneath the vehicle in the violent collision.
Gabriela suffered a head injury and a deep laceration to her knee, while their male friend was also injured. All three victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
But Cristina’s injuries were far more devastating. After undergoing three surgeries, the beloved mom ultimately had both of her legs amputated as a result of the crash.
Police determined the driver was allegedly impaired when the crash occurred. The female suspect was arrested and charged with multiple felonies.
While Gabriela and the injured male diner have recovered, Vargas faces a long and painful recovery.
The 81-year-old has been undergoing physical rehabilitation at a recovery center and is preparing to return home to her family.
Despite having both legs amputated, Vargas has remained determined to keep moving forward.
A GoFundMe set up for the family describes Cristina as a vibrant and social woman who loved dancing and regularly attended events at a senior center.
The fundraiser says the sudden loss of her mobility has left Cristina facing enormous medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and the need to make her home accessible for her new disability.
The campaign had set a $50,000 goal and had raised roughly $27,000 as of Sunday morning. An Aug. 17 update from the family thanked supporters and said the recovery was progressing slowly.
“Thank you everybody for your love and support. We greatly appreciate it. It’s a slow recovery but day by day we’re getting through it.”
The update added that Cristina’s spirits remained hopeful despite the pain. “Recovery is very painful but she’s giving it her all.”
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The post California mom has both legs amputated after car hits restaurant in Boyle Heights appeared first on New York Post.
