Four teens recovering after being hit by suspected drunk driver

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - Four teenagers are recovering from serious injuries after being hit by a suspected drunk driver in Pueblo on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) says that around 11:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to Hog Farm Rd. and W State Hwy 78 in response to a reported traffic accident.

Upon arrival, police say they located a Jeep with extensive damage off the south side of the road. The four occupants of the Jeep were all seriously injured, police said. Two of the occupants had been ejected and the driver required extraction by fire/rescue, according to PPD. All occupants of the Jeep were transported to a hospital for treatment.

Officers also located a Ram pickup truck approximately 100 yards away and contacted the driver, 54-year-old Jose Rojas-Fernandez, who police say appeared to be intoxicated. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for a medical clearance and DUI processing, according to PPD.

PPD said Rojas-Fernandez was later booked into the Pueblo County Jail on charges including Driving Under the Influence, Vehicular Assault, Careless Driving Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Prohibited Use of a Weapon.

The families of the injured teens credit 17-year-old Larissa Vigil with saving the lives of her friends through her immediate actions following the impact.

Michelle Vigil, Larissa Vigil's mother, said her daughter called her afraid and in shock immediately after the crash.

"I was afraid, but I didn't want to show her that because she needed to be strong for herself," Michelle Vigil said, recalling her conversation with Larissa.

Larissa Vigil called 911 and, despite her own injuries, then checked on her friends until paramedics arrived. Debra Sandstrom, parent of injured teen Braeden Sandstrom, expressed profound gratitude for Larissa's actions.

"She saved us all because none of us would have been able to live with the loss of our children," Sandstrom said.

"Even though she was injured herself. She walked around barefoot in the cactuses, checking on every single one of them until the paramedics got there," Sandstrom described Larissa's bravery, noting,

Braeden Sandstrom echoed his mother's sentiments.

"She's the goat without her I wouldn't be here right now," Braeden Sandstrom said.

Denise Mestas, grandmother of injured teen De'Lysia Romero, also credited Larissa's quick thinking.

"If it wasn't for her. Who knows what would have happened? That little girl was walking around in the fields barefoot, cactus all in her feet, trying to make sure everybody was okay," Mestas said.

Mestas's family has experienced similar trauma before; three years prior, De'Lysia was in an accident that claimed her mother's life.

"It just brought flashbacks because she's been through this before. Three years ago, she had a car accident. It was hard because you just bring back all the memories. And in that accident, she lost her mom. So that was a terrible accident," Mestas said, explaining the re-traumatizing nature of the current crash for De'Lysia and their family.

De'Lysia is now making daily progress in her recovery, achieving a milestone of sitting on her bed for three minutes unassisted, shared Mestas.

One of the injured teenagers was supposed to walk at graduation the day after the crash, but now his family is unsure of when he'll be able to walk again.

Pueblo police noted that if the teens were wearing seatbelts, they would not have been ejected from the vehicle. The families shared that the teens said they were putting on their seatbelts the moment the crash occurred. De'Lysia had told her family she was pulling her seatbelt over just before waking up on the ground.

The crash has brought the four families closer, forming a tight bond. The families expressed gratitude for the compassionate care received at Memorial Hospital, with special mention of the trauma unit and the entire staff. They also appreciate the support from family members, coaches, and friends who have stood by them during this difficult time. Most of all, they expressed the utmost gratitude for God saving their children and said all they can ask for is continued prayers.

Mestas also voiced her strong desire for justice. She voiced her outrage at Rojas-Fernandez's ability to post bond and walk out of jail the day after the crash.

"He don't belong on the streets, not while these kids are in the hospital," Mestas said.

She also noted that this is not Rojas-Fernandez's first DUI offense. Rojas-Fernandez was convicted of a DUI in 1999 in Pueblo, according to court records.

"I just want them to go to prison. I don't want him to own his restaurants. I don't want him to have a good life. Because my kid, my granddaughter and the other kids are going to have a rough life getting together, getting healed," Mestas shared in a call for justice.

The Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller also described the suspect's release from jail as a miscarriage of justice.

"Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time and through the healing process. As with any ongoing investigation, new information continues to emerge that may not have been immediately evident at the outset.  We will continue to work this case and follow all leads available to bring justice to the victims of this senseless crime.

We understand the community’s concern and recognize that the suspect’s release prior to the victim’s discharge from the hospital is deeply troubling to many and we agree that the release is a travesty and miscarriage of justice.  This is just one more example of what I have been talking about for the past five years where the concern for offenders trumps the concern for our victims."

- Pueblo Chief of Police, Chris Noeller

Jose Rojas-Fernandez is scheduled to appear in court on June 4.

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