Family calls for justice after two motorcyclists killed by suspected drunk driver
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Three young children lost their mother after she was killed by a drunk driver in Pueblo.
41-year-old Racheal Gallegos and 54-year-old Frank Chavez were both on motorcycles and hit by a suspected drunk driver on Saturday. The Pueblo Police Department says the suspect ran a red light at the intersection of Northern Ave. and Orman Ave. at 4:30 p.m.
Authorities say Gallegos died at the scene. Chavez and two other victims were taken to the hospital. Police say Chavez died from his injuries there.
“She loved her kids with all of her heart, she was the best mom ever,” says Carmen Gallegos the cousin of Racheal, “We’re going to miss her smile, her beauty, and her laugh.” Carmen telling us Racheal was set to be married soon to her fiancé who was also seriously injured in the crash.
The suspect in this crash, identified as 28-year-old Alisha Herrerra, was arrested and is charged with two counts of Vehicular Homicide.
"Our family wants justice," Gallegos says. "They don't feel it's a mistake, we felt it was a choice."
While the families of Racheal and Frank begin to mourn their deaths, another motorcyclist was recently laid to rest following another accident involving an intoxicated driver.
Last week, families and friends held the funeral of 48-year-old Darrell Pagels. He hit by a drunk driver in an SUV on May 21, that driver fled the scene but was eventually caught and faces vehicular homicide charges.
Sergent Michael Sincerbox with the traffic division of the Pueblo Police Department says they are seeing more these fatal crashes in Pueblo, "It generally happens this time of year due to nicer weather people getting out and about."
For these latest fatal crashes, he says they were caused by the drivers of the vehicles. That those on motorcycles were obeying traffic law.
Police and those who knew these victims now pleading for more awareness and asking not only drivers to pay more attention but for the city to play a role as well.
