Pueblo mother and 6-year-old face daunting recovery after head-on wreck
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Since Monday, life has been altered dramatically for Lucinda Gallegos and her family.
A tragic car wreck in Pueblo put three people in critical condition, two of which were Gallegos' niece and nephew, 32-year-old Adrianna Lagunas and her 6-year-old son, Jake.
The wreck occurred around 4:15 a.m. Monday; Lagunas was on her way to her mother's house to drop Jake off before she left for work. She was driving Westbound over the 4th Street bridge near the Midtown Center when a white pickup truck, driving in the wrong lane, slammed into her vehicle head-on.
"She threw herself in front of him to protect [Jake's] life,” said Gallegos.
Both were helicoptered to hospitals in Denver and Colorado Springs for emergency surgery. Friday, both are alive and recovering, but their struggles have just begun.
“He’s just six years old," said Gallegos. "There is still pain and the recovery will be rough.”
Jeremy Molina, 31, was officially charged on Thursday for causing the accident and fleeing the scene, along with other charges. Molina was out on parole at the time for a carjacking and stabbing in early 2018.
Police believe Molina stole the truck he used in the wreck, and was fleeing police before he crashed into Lagunas' small car.
“It's remarkable to think, the actions of just one person, just one bad decision, that they make can effect someone’s whole entire family," said Gallegos. "It’s going to change their life forever.”
As a result of the crash, the injuries are extensive. Both of Lagunas' femurs tore through the skin in her legs. Gallegos says She won’t be able to pressure on her legs let alone walk for at least twelve weeks.
Jake currently needs help with nurses to gain movement, however, he is expected to make a full recovery. Gallegos says he will even be able to play sports when he is older.
Since the accident, Gallegos phone has been ringing constantly. Family, Puebloans, and complete strangers were calling dozens of times every hour, reaching out to lend a helping hand, both financially and spiritually.
The Pueblo Fire Department has even volunteered to organize the resources in order to build a ramp for Lagunas’ return home.
“It’s overwhelming," says Gallegos. "But it makes your heart feel really good to know we live in such a great community.”
If you'd like to lend Lagunas and her family a helping hand during this difficult time you can reach out at the email, lucinda.gallegos@brigagent.com.
