Victims of hit-and-run make plea to driver

The Garbisos were taking a quick trip to the store less than a mile from their house last Sunday.

But just a few blocks in, a driver tried to beat them through the intersection at Cache La Poudre and Iowa Avenue, and hit them.

“I look at it as a miracle that I’m sitting here today,” Jeff Garbiso said.

Jeff tried to steer his motorcycle so it wouldn’t flip over the car. Instead, he got pinned underneath.

“The car was literally on top of me and I looked the driver in the eye, and he backed off and sped away,” Jeff said.

His wife, Breanne, had been thrown several feet away and was lying in the road, hoping the driver would stop.

“It was like a movie,” she said. “I saw this flash of light and I couldn’t believe we had just been hit.”

Jeff suffered 11 broken ribs, two punctured lungs (one of which collapsed), a multi-compound fractured leg, bruising and road rash all over his body.

But against all odds, just one week after he got out of the ICU, Jeff was released from the hospital and able to begin recovery at home.

Breanne is taking care of him, despite having a broken hand and fractured knee.

“I’m sore in the morning but I know he is hurt worse and he needs me,” she said.

While they try to recover so Jeff can go back to work, they only want one thing: the driver to come forward.

“I’m just looking for peace of mind for somebody to take accountability for what they’ve done that changed a life,” Jeff said.

The Garbisos said they’ve been in touch with police, but unfortunately, all leads have led to dead ends and they are no closer to finding out who did this.

Now, Jeff is out of work until he is fully recovered and the hospital bills are already piling up.

“There’s a little bit of depression that comes into play, just when you think you’re getting ahead of things.

I worked two jobs to get ahead with a wife and three kids and this just kind of put a halt to all of it,” he said.

But despite the long road ahead, the family is trying to stay positive and see the silver lining.

“I think I’m very lucky to be alive and to have so many people that care about me.

I think it’s another eye opener in life to appreciate what we have and be careful,” he laughed.

To help out Jeff, Breanne, and their family, visit their GoFundMe page at: http://www.gofundme.com/jeffgarbiso .

Police are still looking for a tan or gold 2000 Buick sedan with damage to the front left side. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP (7867).