Gabriela Vargas has spoken out about the crash that left her mother fighting for her life with both legs amputated.
Cristina Vargas, 81, was having lunch with Gabriela and a male friend at Los Cinco Puntos restaurant in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, on July 7 when an SUV suddenly plowed into their sidewalk table. The incident occurred around 3:20pm, and surveillance footage captured the moment the vehicle lost control and struck the trio.
The driver, a woman who has not been publicly identified, was impaired at the time of the crash according to a police report. She was arrested and has since been charged with various felonies.
Cristina suffered catastrophic injuries when her lower body became pinned beneath the vehicle. She required three surgeries and ultimately had both legs amputated. Gabriela also sustained injuries in the collision, including a head injury and a deep laceration on her knee.
Speaking to KTLA 5, Gabriela recalled the moments of impact. “I remember I just heard screeching and I was lifting up my head and I just saw headlights and a bumper and I heard a big boom,” she said.
“The next thing I knew, I was airborne.”
Despite the devastating physical toll, Cristina has maintained an attitude that surprised those around her. She is not bitter about what happened, even as she now faces extensive rehabilitation and an entirely altered way of life.
A GoFundMe campaign created for Cristina and Gabriela has raised over $34,000. The fundraiser describes Cristina as “a vibrant and social person with a true lust for life.”
“She loved to dance and was a regular at events at the senior center, bringing joy and energy wherever she went,” the page states.
“Her vivacious spirit and love for connecting with others made her a beloved member of the community. This sudden change is especially heartbreaking for someone who has always embraced life so fully and actively.”
The funds will help cover significant support needs for Cristina as well as medical bills for both mother and daughter. The campaign emphasizes that even small donations matter in helping the family navigate what lies ahead.
Cristina is currently undergoing physiotherapy as part of her recovery process. The road forward involves adapting to life as a double amputee while maintaining the spirit that those who know her have come to expect.
The crash unfolded in seconds but will reshape the Vargas family’s existence for years to come. What began as an ordinary afternoon meal outside a neighborhood restaurant became the dividing line between before and after.
The surveillance footage shows Cristina, Gabriela, and their friend seated at the sidewalk table in the moments before chaos erupted. The SUV appears suddenly, the driver having lost control, and the vehicle strikes the group where they sat. The footage has circulated widely, with warnings attached about its disturbing nature.
Law enforcement response led to the driver’s arrest, and the felony charges now pending reflect the severity of the harm caused. The specific substances or impairments involved have not been detailed in available reports.
The GoFundMe campaign continues to accept donations as Cristina’s medical needs evolve. “Even the smallest donation will make a difference for Gabriela and Cristina as they navigate this difficult journey,” the page reads.
“Your support means the world to them and will help them find hope and strength in the midst of hardship. Please consider contributing and sharing their story—together, we can help them rebuild and move forward.”
Cristina remains in physiotherapy as donations continue to come in for her ongoing care.