Woman forced to have both legs amputated after driver rammed into her while having lunch with daughter
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
An 81-year-old woman, Cristina Vargas, had both legs amputated after an allegedly drink-driving motorist ploughed into the restaurant table where she was having lunch with her daughter, Gabriela, in Los Angeles on 7 July. The pair, along with a family friend, were sitting down to eat at the Mexican restaurant Los Cinco Puntos when a speeding vehicle struck their table and slammed into the building's wall, with surveillance footage capturing the moment of impact. The incident left Cristina, who was pinned beneath the car, with the most severe injuries of the three, while raising renewed concern about the dangers posed by impaired drivers to bystanders in everyday settings.
Cristina underwent three surgeries but ultimately lost both legs, a devastating blow for a woman her family describes as having loved to dance and connect with others in her community. Gabriela suffered a head injury and a deep knee laceration but has since recovered, as has the friend who was also at the table, while their mother continues physical therapy at a rehabilitation centre. The driver, whose identity has not been released, reportedly seemed indifferent after the crash, asking for a cigarette lighter rather than showing concern, and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, facing several felony charges. The family has since turned to a GoFundMe to help cover Cristina's ongoing medical costs.
- Drink-driving crash into LA restaurant cost Cristina Vargas, 81, both legs
- Daughter Gabriela and a friend recovered; Cristina still in rehab
- Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI, facing multiple felony charges
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Cristina Vargas, 81, was eating lunch with her daughter Gabriela at a restaurant in Los Angeles on 7 July when a driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, crashed into their table. She has since had both legs amputated after three surgeries were unable to save them, and is now in physical therapy at a rehabilitation centre.
The driver, who has not been publicly named, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and is facing multiple felony charges over the crash. Gabriela and a family friend who was also present were injured but have since recovered and been discharged from hospital.
The case has drawn attention partly because of accounts, given by Gabriela, describing the driver's demeanour immediately after the crash, and because of the scale of harm caused to a bystander having a routine meal. A fundraising page has been set up to help cover Cristina's ongoing medical costs.
Full account
An 81-year-old woman has had both of her legs amputated after a driver, who police allege was intoxicated, ploughed a car into the table where she was eating lunch with her daughter in Los Angeles. Cristina Vargas was sitting outside the Mexican restaurant Los Cinco Puntos with her daughter, Gabriela, and a male friend on 7 July when an SUV veered off the road and struck them at speed, pinning Cristina beneath the vehicle.
Surveillance footage of the incident shows the SUV mounting the kerb and crashing through the outdoor dining area before coming to a halt against the restaurant wall. Gabriela has described hearing screeching tyres and seeing headlights an instant before the impact, saying she was thrown into the air by the force of the collision. She suffered a head injury and a deep cut to her knee, while their friend was also hurt, but it was Cristina who bore the worst of it, trapped under the car with severe injuries to her legs.
All three were taken to hospital, along with the driver. Cristina underwent three operations, after which doctors concluded that both of her legs could not be saved and had to be amputated. She has since been undergoing physical therapy at a rehabilitation centre, while her daughter and their friend have both recovered from their injuries. Police say the driver, whose identity has not been made public, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and is facing multiple felony charges.
The family has turned to crowdfunding to help cover mounting medical bills, home adaptations and the cost of Cristina's ongoing care, with the GoFundMe appeal passing $30,000. Friends have described her as an outgoing, sociable woman who loved dancing and was a familiar face at her local senior centre, and both she and Gabriela have spoken of remaining thankful and hopeful despite the trauma, with Gabriela saying her focus now is on giving her mother the best possible quality of life going forward.
Where outlets differ
The two accounts give slightly different timings for the crash — one says the group sat down around 3.20pm, while the other places the impact at roughly 3.30pm.
One report locates the restaurant simply in Los Angeles, while the other specifies the Boyle Heights neighbourhood and notes the family were seated at an outdoor sidewalk table rather than inside.
Only one source includes Gabriela's account of the driver appearing unfazed after the crash, casually asking bystanders for a cigarette lighter, and Cristina's reported screams in Spanish as she lay trapped.
Only the other source details the GoFundMe total raised (over $30,000), describes Cristina as a widowed mother of two, and includes fundraiser quotes portraying her as a vibrant, socially active member of her community who is expected to return home soon.
One account frames the family's resilience through their religious faith, with Gabriela suggesting she believes they were protected; the other frames it more through Cristina's personal optimism and eagerness to be reunited with family.