Jury awards $1.36 million to Pueblo woman injured in drunk driving crash
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - Streets can get cleaned, cars can be repaired, but some injuries never heal. In December 2023, Christine Sanchez was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of Abriendo and 4th Street in Pueblo.
The crash caused life-altering injuries for Sanchez, a Career elementary school teacher.
"I had just taken my father to Colorado Springs, to the Flying W Ranch, for a Christmas present to go see a show," said Sanchez.
When Sanchez and her father got to the intersection of Abriendo and 4th, a car driven by a then 18-year-old Amrie Mares weaved across multiple lanes on 4th street, striking Christine Sanchez's car, nearly head-on.
Pueblo police say they found Mares with THC in her system, and her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, 0.16.
"I remember hitting glass. I remember the airbags exploding."
Today, there are no signs of the crash, but the injuries Sanchez suffered that night still affect her life almost two years later.
"Ongoing doctors' appointments, you know, ongoing physical therapy... You know, continue to have like, nightmares just of the whole incident."
Sanchez suffered multiple physical injuries, but she says it's the traumatic brain injury that's left the biggest mark on her life.
"I have to make accommodations all the time. And just my stamina. I'm drained...It's affected me, and it continues to affect me daily."
Christine says she hopes the verdict handed down by a jury of her peers isn't a one-off and that drunk driving continues to be taken seriously.
"They're sending the message that this isn't what we want for Pueblo. You know, this isn't what Pueblo is all about. We take pride in our community, and they're not going to tolerate it. They're not going to tolerate drinking and driving."
The verdict this week came in the civil case filed against Mares', a jury awarding Sanchez $1.36 million. According to court documents, Mares is only personally on the hook for $60,000.
KRDO13 reached out to the DA's office for more information about the criminal case against her, but was told that the case was sealed.
Mares's lawyer did not respond to our request for comment.
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