California Woman Has Both Legs Amputated After Impaired Driver Crashes Into Outdoor Dining Area
- Cristina Vargas, an 81-year-old California woman, suffered the amputation of both legs after an impaired driver crashed an SUV into the outdoor dining area of a Boyle Heights...
- Surveillance footage captures the vehicle suddenly veering off the street onto the sidewalk and plowing directly into the sidewalk table.
- Gabriela Vargas described the harrowing moments leading up to the crash to KTLA, stating that she heard the sound of screeching tires before seeing headlights and a bumper.
Cristina Vargas, an 81-year-old California woman, suffered the amputation of both legs after an impaired driver crashed an SUV into the outdoor dining area of a Boyle Heights restaurant on July 7, according to local news reports.
Surveillance footage captures the vehicle suddenly veering off the street onto the sidewalk and plowing directly into the sidewalk table. Screeching tires preceded the impact, which sent patrons, furniture, and debris flying into the air.
The Violent Collision and Immediate Aftermath
Gabriela Vargas described the harrowing moments leading up to the crash to KTLA, stating that she heard the sound of screeching tires before seeing headlights and a bumper.
“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,” Gabriela Vargas told KTLA. “The next thing I knew, I was airborne.”
During the collision, Cristina Vargas became pinned underneath the vehicle. Gabriela sustained a head injury and a deep laceration on her knee, while their male friend also suffered injuries. All three victims were transported to a hospital for emergency medical care. While Gabriela and the male diner have since recovered, her mother faced a far more devastating medical outcome.
Medical Treatment and Ongoing Recovery
Following the crash, Cristina Vargas underwent three surgeries, but doctors were ultimately forced to amputate both of her legs. Despite the severe trauma and a painful rehabilitation process, she has maintained a positive outlook. According to her family, she has spent weeks undergoing physical therapy at a rehabilitation facility and is preparing to return home to her relatives as a widowed mother of two.
“Recovery is very painful, but she’s giving it her all,” Gabriela Vargas said in an August 17 public update, adding that her mother’s spirits remain hopeful.
Legal Status of the Driver and Community Support
According to a police report cited by KTLA, the driver of the SUV was impaired at the time of the collision. Law enforcement arrested the unidentified female driver, who now faces multiple felony charges.
In response to the mounting medical bills and the expenses required to make the family home accessible for a new disability, a friend established a GoFundMe campaign. As of late August, the fundraiser has gathered more than $30,000 toward a $50,000 goal to assist the family with ongoing medical and daily living costs.
The fundraiser describes Cristina Vargas as a vibrant community member who was a regular attendee at senior center events and enjoyed dancing. Family members note that despite the profound life-changing injuries, they remain focused on providing her with the highest quality of care moving forward.