A Life Altered in Seconds
On July 7, Cristina Vargas, 81, was enjoying lunch with her daughter, Gabriela, outside Los Cinco Puntos Mexican Deli in Boyle Heights when a car jumped the curb and slammed into the outdoor dining area. According to surveillance footage obtained by ABC7, three people were eating outside the restaurant when the vehicle veered onto the sidewalk shortly after 3 p.m., leaving them little time to react.
Investigators suspect the driver was impaired. The crash resulted in the amputation of both of Cristina's legs. Gabriela was also injured, requiring staples for a cut to her head and sustaining a leg injury that continues to affect her movement.
Gabriela described the terrifying moment in an interview with CBS: "All of a sudden I just remember seeing headlights and a car coming towards us and it just pinned my mom underneath the car."
A Daughter's Steadfast Support
In the months since the crash, Gabriela has become her mother's constant companion and cheerleader. "You're my best friend. I'm going to get you a cool little electric car and you're going to be hauling, and your hair is going to be flying in the wind," Gabriela told CBS, vowing to help her mother reclaim a sense of freedom.
For Gabriela, the emotional weight of the accident is heavy. "The most traumatic and saddest thing for me is that I get that the accident happened, but she lost her legs and that sometimes really tears at my heart the fact that her life is going to change from here going forward," she said.
Cristina, who once loved dancing, going to church, playing bingo, and spending time with her family, now faces a dramatically different routine. She still experiences pain in her legs following the amputations. "That's what really gets me, more so than the accident. Just going forward to what life is going to look like and that makes me sad because she's really social," Gabriela added. "But as long as her spirits aren't broken, then I'm cool; I can move on because she's alive."
Healing and Hope
Both mother and daughter are navigating a long recovery. Gabriela acknowledged the ongoing challenges: "We have good days and bad days. I don't have the full range, like I can't kneel on it."
Despite the difficulties, the family holds onto faith and the support of their community. Cristina's message, as shared by her daughter, is one of resilience: "Sí se puede" — yes, it can be done. The pair draws strength from the prayers and well-wishes of those around them, which Gabriela says has helped her stay strong enough to encourage her mother through the grueling recovery.