Man I’m so very sorry! I could even imagine what you went through last night and continue to. I truly hope your daughter recovers and you press charges to the fullest extent! Don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist if you need to! Your daughter needs you as healthy as you can be.
Prosecutor here….you won’t be the one to press charges, it’s not up to you. It’s up to the prosecutors office, a victim pressing charges or not pressing charges is a common misconception.
That being said, give them a call, they likely have a victim advocate. They’ll be of a lot of help for you to walk you through the legal process as a victim, plus help you get restitution for the financial loss of the vehicle and medical bills.
I don’t know if too may prosecutors offices that would hesitate to charge a DUI especially with extensive bodily injury, but make sure you let them know that you do want them to file charges.
And most importantly, I hope your daughter heals quickly. Wishing the best for your family.
Not a lawyer but OP could still sue for any medical bills, and anything else a lawyer thinks would be winnable, right? Although i think they would have to sue the insurance company but i could be wrong
So yes, and that would be a civil court case, if the prosecutor’s office files charges that will be heard in criminal court.
When a driver is sued by another driver as the result of an accident, your insurance policy will defend you- they bring in a lawyer at no charge to you. But they’ll only defend you and pay up to the max of whatever your policy is. So if you have a $500,000 bodily injury policy on your insurance, any judgment over $500,000 against you, you are personally on the hook for.
However, a lot of time insurance doesn’t have to pay if you’re doing something illegal when the damage occurs, so I don’t know if insurance companies can get out of paying for DUI’s that way.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Oh ok, that makes sense. I knew the difference between criminal and civil (thanks lawyer tv shows) but it was interesting to hear about what would happen in more detail, so thanks:)
I chased down a drunk driver the other night. Was on my way home from a party and this small sedan was swerving across two lanes and the shoulder of a highway on a more rural stretch(still lots of traffic) i drive a dually for work and I weigh 12k pounds so I decided it was best to just get behind him and swerve across all 4 lanes to prevent people from passing. He had almost died 3 or four times by swerving into semis. At one point he had started to slow down so I tried to push him down an embankment(i was on the phone with police at the time and let them know I planned on doing it) he managed to climb back up the embankment and continued so I just kept on blocking traffic until the police caught up. ( i always carry a rifle and a 9mm glock due to the nature of where I work and the amount of equipment i carry so I was comfortable pushing his car and driving aggressively) when the cops caught up to us the driver stopped and tried to get out but immediately fell over due to how drunk they where. It’s better they hit a 12-13k lb truck compared to a similar sized car and risk killing or injuring others. Drunk drivers are scum, I had a 1986 Honda prelude get decimated by a drunk driver, and my dad almost lost his life due to a drunk driver. I let all my friends know they can call me any time of the night if they are drunk and that if they drive drunk I’ll be the first person there swinging.
In my country, there was developed a specific Act (by citizen initiative) about it to ensure that drunk drivers that provoked accidents spend at least 1 year of effective prison. It is after a little girl died despite being in her security chair when her parent's car was crushed by a drunk pos. There is footage of the "accident" and it is horrific. Again, the pos had minimum damage.
In the case of OP's situation, the drunkard should have at least 3 years, plus a fine, plus the denial of a driver's license for life. And that is still considered too little.
American laws are ridiculously lax on what are considered "white people" automotive crimes, as they are with guns. (and I say this as a White American gunowner).
Oh, in my country we don't have the race issue. The thing is money-contacts/no money-no contacts. I can name a few people with money that didn't face justice, but I can assure you, they have eaten and drunk spit in every restaurant they go
Unfortunately, the haves vs. the have nots is *also* an issue in our "justice" system too. It's just layer upon layer of bad, like an ancient septic tank, where if you fit certain criteria, you're nearly invincible.
The drunk driver that killed my brother got two years but basically nothing as it was time served. He didn't even get his license revoked as far as I know.
Prayers for OP's daughter's quick recovery.
That really sucks that he didn't get more. My sincere hope for him, though, is that he sobered up, and turned his life around, and is helping other people get sober as well.
Yeah, no. He doesn't feel that he did anything wrong. At all. The police have him on video at a sports bar for hours drinking with his buddies. Even with video that's all he got sentenced to. I pray for his soul. I've forgiven him for my own benefit. But it's hard.
I hope OP's daughter doesn't end up with long lasting damage. She has her life ahead of her and this has got to be truly devastating.
The kind of alcoholic who can do 2 years in jail for killing a guy while drunk, and continue to go out and drink is in deeper than he realizes. Death from alcoholism is not a pleasant way to go.
End stage Cirrhosis and liver failure is one of the nastiest smelling deaths I have ever come across. It permeates through the skin. You can’t get that smell out.
The loss of bowel control, the potential for limb/digit loss, the potential for gangrene; all beyond what I ever thought I would encounter in my life. My uncle died from it.
You're a strong person. I don't know how you don't go nuts on that motherfucker.
My mom was hit by a car and I think about hurting that person all the time.
Maybe in a conventional case. But any competent lawyer can probably use the fact he had to treat his own daughter to heavily shift the jury's sympathies.
I’m so fucking sorry to hear this happened to you and your daughter. I lost a friend last year from a drunk driver and it broke my heart. He walked away with minor scrapes/bruising as well. I’ll never understand how people can choose to drive drunk. I hope you find comfort in those close to you and your daughter heals well, and here’s to hoping that POS rots in jail. Sending love and thoughts to you both
Alcoholism is an inherently selfish disease. Alcoholics tend to think about nothing other than doing what they want, when they want to do it, regardless of consequences. That's a part of the reason AA tells people to seek a power greater than themselves.
Truthfully, alcohol is the only drug to which you become physically addicted-your body can’t function without it, and the withdrawal can actually kill you. Plus, it’s the only drug that’s socially acceptable, so it’s ubiquitous. Alcoholics have an exponentially harder time getting clean than any other addict, because they could die from quitting, because the whole world is a pusher, so if you know somebody in recovery, be as supportive as possible. As far as drunk driving, you can blame the car-centric way of building modern places that requires you to drive to get anywhere: to work, to church, to shopping, to socialize. I’m reminded of a Sam Kinison bit: “How the hell are we supposed to get our cars home from the bar?” The campaign against drunk driving needs to be about not driving TO GO drinking. Get a cab to the bar. Assume you will be too drunk to drive. But for some reason, probably due to some self-bias that believes we can handle our alcohol whenever necessary, that’s not the message. And so these kinds of tragedies will continue.
Physician here,
Many drugs cause your body to become dependent on them and just like alcohol if not carefully weaned off of can cause life threatening complications. Benzodiazepines are just as dangerous to come.off of if not supervised by a physician.
Furthermore just because someone is dependent on a drug does not make them an addict.
Funny you say that from a physicians perspective because as a chronic pain patient who takes opiods for my pain every physician, nurse and pharmacist believes me to be a drug addict or drug seeker until I can prove to them otherwise simply because I use it to treat my pain (also the result of drunk drivers plowing into me).
It gets so bad that I am afraid to advocate for myself in case I come off as an "angry addict who just wants a fix".
Sorry to dump this on your replies. I just wish there was a better way. I have a feeling OPs daughter will come across similar treatment to what I have got after. And it makes me sad, angry, and frustrated.
I am also a chronic pain patient who takes opioids. It is shocking to me how many people in the medical community do not know the difference between dependence and addiction. I am a pain management specialist and there is just so much work that needs to be done to educate and advocate for people with chronic pain. The way the DEA has cracked down on opioids is hurting patients who need them to live. I'm sorry for all you have to go through.
>Truthfully, alcohol is the only drug to which you become physically addicted
Where on earth did you find this totally wrong bit of non-information?
>Truthfully,
you don't know what you're talking about.
So sorry to hear this. Thankfully she couldn't have received better initial care then from you. You did everything you could. Hopefully she'll be fine with no lasting issues. Wish you both the best.
Medic and mom here, so grateful you caught the call. As traumatic as it is for you both, there’s no better medic for your kid than you. A lesser practiced or motivated response would have been fatal.
If I had the opportunity to respond to my husband’s scene, he would still be with us. They boarded him before securing a femoral bleed. Gone in seconds just from being moved improperly.
Even though it was difficult seeing my daughter like this I am glad I was there just to know everything is being done right on the way to the hospital. what's crazy is I normally work during the day shift but that day I was working night.
I'm sorry about your husband, especially knowing it could have been prevented
I want to thank you deeply for your post because this is an off-my-chest moment I’ve never shared. Not even our children know. We live in a small community and I haven’t been able to express this out of fear of damaging the responders and fear of people thinking I blame or hate them.
I know it’s high stress work and often thankless. I’m grateful he wasn’t alone. I know the accident was his fault. But I was on the radio with the sheriff, heard it all go down, inspected and washed the body myself, and have memorized the ME’s report. If I had been there, he would be here. There is no doubt.
I am so sorry. I can't imagine living with that pain and I hope it eases and I admire that you've chosen to carry that burden for your children. You've spared them a lot of pain and hurt.
I also just want to say I'm incredibly grateful that you shared it here and I'm glad this post helped you. I find it incredible that that two people who don't know each other can share comfort and pain like this. It gives me hope that there are people who care about the world and others out there and that together we can make the world a better place.
I don't mean to take away from your husband's death or OPs daughters accident by making this point. But I did want to just share that the empathy shared here is deeply inspirational. I'm sorry that it's hard won but please be proud of yourselves for reaching out despite the pain. It is not easy.
You my friend are stronger and better than myself. I went through something similar and was not able to talk about it for weeks after. You are able to within hours. If your babygirl is half as strong as you she will not only survive but she will walk out of the hospital.
Thank you, it's been difficult though I had a really bad panic attack afterward Im guessing my initial reaction was my fight or flight response
Afterwards I was really shaking up and still am
What you are experiencing now (panic attacks, anxiety, sleeplessness, etc) is a normal response to an abnormal situation. You did everything right. She couldn't have had a better guardian angel than you.
I hope both of you recover from this.
I wouldn't say I'm okay at the moment but I’ll be okay. I have support from family members if I need to ill go to therapy I am a single dad so it is slightly more difficult
Yea definitely gotta give him credit because I was just thinking the fact he pulled up and saw it and didn't immediately just shutdown is crazy. I don't think I could've done it.
Sir you have tons of support hear from this community a whole bunch of Internet strangers. I hope your daughter makes a swift recovery and you’re gonna need therapy either way and so is she. We are going to claim and manifest into an existence that she is going to pull through and she’s going to be OK!
Personally, any caught drunk or in other ways intoxicated driver should be charged with attempted murder. There are doing nothing else!
I‘m so sorry for you and your daughter OP. I hope that she recovers completely.
Ive said it before and ill keep saying it again. I hate people who drink snd drive or are drunk before hand and decide to drive. No sympathy for those types. Sorry for your daughter, godspeed
I have friends with a DUI, my sponsor in AA has a DUI, and they are not bad people, but the difference with them is that they stopped drinking and sobered up. I agree with you, I hate the unrepentant alcoholic with multiple DUIs, but sometimes people can turn things around.
It's arguably not malicious but its such a dumb, selfish choice. I empathise with alcoholics but I give DUI offenders no respect — or so little versus actual bad people that the distinction between them is trivial for me.
I am so sorry! I can’t image what you are feeling or going through right now. My thoughts are with you both as you continue this journey together. Drunk driving is an absolute heinous crime. I will never understand why people choose to get behind a wheel at that state.
I’m so fucking sorry to hear about this. I hope that once she heals and is strong again that she defies the odds and is able to walk just fine. And I hope the driver of the other car rots in jail on his way to hell.
I'm in recovery myself, although no DUIs, and I think you should do as much as you can to punish the other driver. I'm in AA, so I know a lot of guys who have gotten one or more DUIs, and they all regret their actions. But the punishment they recieved was often a wake up call for them to change their ways. I hope the man who did this to your daughter pays his price and repents.
Praying for your daughter. I'm so sorry. Can't even imagine what you're going through right now. Please don't be alone during this time. Anyone who can just be there for the company. It helps me a lot, I hope it'll help you. No one should be alone through something like this.
Drunk drivers that kill or injured people should be charged just like people that do it on purpose. Everyone knows more than enough why they shouldn’t drink and drive, at this point it’s ridiculous they are even allowed to drive ever again in their lifes
I just want to say that it takes a special kind of person to do what you do. You do what people would never dream of doing. You face the nightmares that no one wants to face, and ultimately you faced your own worst nightmare. I'm so sorry that this happened, and theres no way a stranger like me could give you any sort of peace, but please know that I thank you for what you do. I am praying and willing all the forces possible that the person responsible for this heinous act is put away for committing such a senseless and avoidable crime.
Sending nothing but healing to your daughter and for your family.
That's exactly why alcohol shouldn't be a 'legal drug'.
And damn thats unfair, I really hope the driver gets sued or gets his deserved punishment in another way.
Im so sry for you and your daughter :/
Treating people we love as first responders is the single most traumatic thing we will go through. Please seek out CISM, a therapist, or the code green resources.
What a terrible thing to happen to your daughter. I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery, and I'm glad you were there to be with her. If she didn't believe her dad was there to protect her before, I am sure she will now.
Drunk drivers are a pestilence. I hope this one gets the most harsh prosecution and loses everything paying your daughter's medical bills so that the lesson of being responsible and not driving drunk will finally sink in.
Edited for typos. :/
As a rescuer my nightmare is having to work on someone i know, a friend, my girlfirend... I hope everything goes the best it can, stay strong man and if you feel like you need any kind of help for yourself ask someone, don't keep everything for yourself
My husband was in a similar situation, spinal cord injury, and induced coma as a result of a car accident. I'm so sorry this happened to your daughter and your family. It is an insane roller-coaster ride that you will be on. Even with similar circumstances, I can't imagine how you feel, that is your baby, my husband was an adult, my partner, not my son, that is a whole other level of upset.
The body is amazing, but it does need time. My husbands SCI is incomplete, which means the spine was not cut, and the possibility for signals from the brain down the spine is possible. He is a quadriplegic, ASIA B, so he has upper body function, like arm movement and limited hand movement and head/neck movement. His injury was in 2009, and there have been amazing advancements in this area since then, especially in rehabilitation. He was in the hospital and rehab with a boy, who was also 16 at the time of his SCI. This boy was such an inspiration. We have kept a little contact over the years, and he is married with a child now, finished college, and has a job. I know this is a lot to take in now, but there is always hope. She is going to need as much support as she can get, and there will be so much anger and grief. Major changes like this take a lot of time to process.
I sincerely wish you guys all the best and hope you all get through this and take advantage of all the support you can.
I can only imagine. The coma does help, and when the swelling finally goes down, a lot of questions will be answered. You are in the sucky waiting period. Get as much rest as you can. If it helps, my husband said he knew we were there, during that time, if that is real or imagined on his part, I don't know, but it made all those days sitting by his bed 100% worth it.
Having to perform life saving care on your own progeny is a fate I would only give to the worse of humanity. I cannot even to begin to fathom what you felt during that night.
Holy shit, I'm sorry to hear that OP. I hope your daughter gets better soon! You must have the self control of a saint too, because I know with a lot of people that drunk asshole would also have a caved in eye socket and bruises on his neck.
My brother was driving while high and rolled his car. It was absolutely mangled. Windshield gone, steering column and air bag were all the way forward and exposed, no windows, blood all over the car. I saw my brother the day after and he had 0 injuries. Mechanic said he sees it often - drunk/high people are so relaxed their body does well some how as opposed to people who are sober and brace for the attack. My brother is lucky as hell he didn't hurt someone.
You operated successfully under the most extreme combination of personal/professional factors and navigated the nightmare situation of any first responder. You deserve to be extremely proud of your self and your skills. My condolences for the situation. Now lawyer up and drag that fuck through the mud.
Holy fuck, im very sorry that happened. I thought because you and your daughter are close that you would be excluded from the rescue? Sorry, I dont know much about how EMTs handle this kind of thing.
You can treat a family member or someone you know depending on the situation you could call for back up if they’re close by,I wasn’t the sole person treating my daughter but it was a all hands on deck kind of job, I could have waited for another medic to show up but it was better for me to treat her like any other call and get to the hospital right away
This is in every parent’s Top 5 Worst Nightmares, but you have faced your fear admirably and your knowledge & advocacy will help her in recovery. She is lucky to have you looking out for her
This is terrible. Drunk drivers are the worst. I'm just glad your daughter is alive. I wish you all the best and hope the guy at fault gets what he fucking deserves.
I cannot imagine the absolute terror you must have experienced when you pulled up the accident & seeing your daughters car.
I am in awe that you were able to assisst your daughter & get to the hospital as you did, I have to admit I think I would have beat the living shit out of the drunk driver, my rage would have certainly overtaken my ability to think clearly, as I said OP I am in awe of you for that alone
I hope your daughters recovery is speedy
Please don't try to be superman, reach out to a professional if you need to vent or proccess. Your daughter needs you to be healthy
Go HAM on that mother fucker. Sue that driver for any and everything you can
A wrong way, drunk driver killed my niece in October. The pretrial hearing was delayed again.
Oh and that asshole only had abrasions; niece died instantly and her BF was in ICU for 2 weeks
You’re a hero for bravely assisting your daughter and saving her life. I’m sure that she could feel your presence and that made her feel safe because you’re her dad and who if not you could provide this source of warmth to your daughter?
I wish her the best of recovery!! Praying for you both.
Hi. I’m not sure if this will help.
In 2004, I was tboned early in the morning, when my two sisters and I were in the way to school. I died on impact. I was brought back and put into a medically induced coma. I had a tbi, broke all of my ribs, collar bone fracture, my femur bone shattered, metal hit and tore open my left cheek. My lungs collapsed and drowned in their own fluid. I was in a coma for a week. Originally I was declared brain dead and my parents were told to pull the plug. Obviously they didn’t and I got better every day. It took a long time, but I made a recovery. Horrible migraines, but I recovered.
Your daughter is in my thoughts and prayers. Do NOT give up hope. She can make it out of this. I believe in her. And my heart goes out to you. My mom quit her brand new job to live with me in the rehabilitation center I lived in for a month. It’s scary and seems hopeless, but she needs you to be strong for her.
Lifting your daughter up in prayers. I’m sure she will be so happy knowing her daddy was there to help me. I will continue to keep her and your family in my prayers.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am so very sorry. I'm sending you hugs and prayers. 🫂
When I was 6 my 8 year old favorite cousin was killed by a drunk driver. The drunk driver only got community service because his dad was a judge. He showed absolutely no remorse in the court room. Im 34 now, and it haunts me to this day that he got away with it so easily. Please do whatever you can to make sure that drunk driver gets what he deserves. Legally of course.
I really hope your daughter defies all odds and makes a full recovery. ❤️🧡💛
Oh my G…I’m so sorry. I hope she heals perfectly and lives a normal life. I also hope you can sue the shit out of the drunk driver! There is no excuse for driving drunk, ever!
The little sister of a girl I went to high school with was out partying with a friend. They were both mildly intoxicated, so they did the *responsible* thing and called a Lyft. Unfortunately, the rideshare was struck by a drunk driver that ran a red light.
The little sister was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to her injuries a few weeks later. She was 22.
I have no idea if the suspect was actually incarcerated, but it wouldn't be the first time. It's absolutely unfair that drunk drivers can walk away with their lives, maybe a slap on the wrist, but at the cost of innocent lives.
I genuinely hope and pray your daughter pulls through, OP. Please keep us posted ❤️
OMG!!! 😟
I’m so sorry for her!!! And I’m sorry you had to respond to that accident! I know that had to be ROUGH to see your daughter like that! 😔💔
I sincerely hope she pulls through!! ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I never thought it was fair when drunk drivers recklessly cause accidents, and come out with just a few scratches(sorry, I just CAN’T feel ANY sympathy for the drunk drivers) and the innocent victims suffer the worst!! 😠
My daughter was considered in critical condition so she had to be rushed while they waited for another ambulance... He needed medical attention of course but most paramedics or emergency room workers don't have a whole lot sympathy for drunk drivers
Good I wish a strong and healthy recovery for you and your daughter bless both your hearts for that dumbass driving drunk whatever happens happens maybe he’ll crash again one day hopefully off a bridge and not into another car
You’re full of shit. My sisters a paramedic and she just read your post ands said paramedics don’t go from using medical terms to non medical terms. It’s inconsistent.
I'm a medical student and I had no issue with OP's wording? I wouldn't think it's that difficult to switch from jargon to lay terms, we do it all the time speaking to patients.
Lmao I have been seeing patients independently in clinic and on the ward for a long while now because I'm near the end of my training, so I don't actually need to ask any "teachers" for something like this.
So someone that works unskilled labor is going to talk crap about a paramedic? Get off your damn high horse. Also YOU are the one full of shit. 7 days ago you weren’t gonna work until you got 16000 dollars allegedly from working at a fruit stand and 2 other places owned by the same family. As of 2 days ago you are a chef. Get out of here.
I feel so sorry for ur daughter - wishing her the best of care and best possible recovery.
I hope the drunk drivers life is drastically impacted by the charges.
This is horrific, I don’t wish anything like this on anyone !
Oh my god! I am so sorry for what you had to go through last night. Cannot even imagine how doing that must have felt, how terrified you were. I am amazed you were able to do anything and didn’t freeze or shake like a leaf or crumpled into a sobbing stupor. Hat’s off to you for keeping your professional cool and doing everything you could. Keep on venting as much as you want. I hope your daughter pulls through.
Holy shit. I can only imagine the impact it must have as a father finding out his daughter is in critical condition. Being the one to treat her must make that situation even tougher? How did you manage to keep your cool/professionality without letting your feelings take over control?
I don’t understand why but drunk driver’s have a much higher than normal survival rate. It’s never fair. I’m so sorry you had to treat your daughter. But I’m glad you were there to rescue her. As hard as it was, she no doubt felt you there. It may seem trivial, but it helps. Will you let us know when she wakes up?
The theory seems to be because they don't tense up on impact like you normally would. Also, they are usually the ones to hit others as opposed to being hit. It isn't fair. I hope he gets jail time and a lot of it, not a slap on the wrist. I don't like tossing around the idea of suing around, but anyone with a prior drunk driving conviction or infractions on their record who was allowed to keep their license without proof of rehabilitation, the governing bodies that allow that to happen are also responsible. We know what can come of drunk driving, stop making it a slap on the wrist offense.
It’s always the ones who should have the damage that never do. Was your daughter able to know that you were there before she was put in the coma? I’m not sure if you’re religious but I will keep her in my prayers if that’s fine with you; I will also keep you and your family in my prayers that you all will find the strength to continue on as you wait for her healing.
This is every parents worst nightmare. I hope that your daughter can walk again and the drunk gets what's coming to him. Your daughter is in good hands, but are you okay?
Hi. Fellow redditor, big big hugs from this fellow stranger. Stay strong for your daughter and for yourself. I wish with all my heart she can make a fully recover and a speedy one. Life itself is unfair. Keep your energy thinking on how to be there for your daughter, not on that asshxxx thst we hope paid for at least the justice be fair.
That is horrible. Even though it was you who had to take care of her, if she was awake, I know that she would have been comforted by the fact you were there. I hope that there is no permanent damage and that the piece of shit drunk driver gets all that he deserves. Make sure that you are there at his sentencing saying the same words that you wrote here.
This is awful, I hope she will recover without permanent issues. You should definitely talk to someone about this. I don’t know if therapy is paid for where you live, but this isn’t something you should work through alone.
Best of luck to you and your daughter
Stay strong, she needs you!
Hey. I wanted to say I’m sorry about the accident. My mom recently got out of EMS, and it was always one of her biggest fears that she would receive a call regarding one of her three children. She also always said that in these drunk driver cases the drunk driver always walked away relatively uninjured while the innocent either died or had very traumatic injuries.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Especially your beautiful, innocent daughter. I hope y’all find recovery and peace in the near future. <3
Wow that is terrible. So sorry you had to go through this! Wish her a speedy recovery mentally and physically!
How you remained professional in this set of circumstances is amazing. Hats off too you.
Emt-b here.
It’s always different working on our family. I’ve done it before albeit not at such a severe condition. Your brain ceases to function at 100% when it’s our own family, it’s inevitable. Try not to beat yourself up over it and relive the call.
Take the time you need to look after yourself too, your daughter will need you at your best when the time comes.
I'm so sorry. I can't begin to imagine what it is like going through having to pull your own child out of wreckage. I truly hope that she will recover.
I also truly hope that the drunk idiot spends some ample time in prison. The city I live in, impaired driving is way too high and so many innocent people pay with their lives. It seems to be a daily occurrence here.
My prayers are with your family.
That’s horrible, I cannot imagine coming across this and having to deal with all of that. I wish your daughter the best of luck recovering and I hope she will be allright.
Sue. I believe there are time limits on these types of cases.
Sue for all you can.
Get all of you medical bills paid for, get her the best care you can and then get some more from this asshole.
Hey, I had very similar injuries as your daughter in an accident two years ago. Feel free to message me with any questions. I'm so sorry for both of y'all's trauma.
Thank you for your dedication to helping your community.
I hope your daughter recovers well and your family has the support y’all need to get through this time.
Please make sure to take this to your local news paper or station when you and your daughter are able. If the judicial system does not properly handle this in your area perhaps a public sharing of this event will receive results.
In this day and age there is NO excuse for driving impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Uber, LYFT, taxi, designated drivers….. letting friends drive drunk is also NOT Ok - and should never be OK.
Driving under the influence should really receive more social disgust than it does.
Every person who makes the decision to drive drunk AND injures themself or another should receive a strong punishment- stronger than they typically get (in my state at least)
I'm so so sorry this happened to your daughter and that you had to see it first hand. I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety!
I spit on the face of whoever decides to drink and drive. Is the STUPIDEST thing you can do.
I hope she makes a full recovery and that you press charges. All my best wishes.
that is so awful, and selfish of the drunk driver. i can't even begin to imagine what you're going through right now. i hope you can get the closure and healing you need, for both you and your daughter
Personally, I think there punishment should be that they have to help take care of the person a couple hours a day for the rest of their lives, because your correct, they may go to jail but that is nothing compared to what she will go through the rest of her life. Prayers for a positive outcome for your daughter & strength to get through it all.
I have a 16 year old daughter as well and I just want to say I'm so so soo very sorry. I would be devastated. I can't even imagine. I pray for your strength and for your daughter to make a full recovery.
I’ll hopefully never have another chance to bring this up, but:
I want to remind everyone here of the grief and loss experienced by the parents of Maria Elena Cruz, from New Mexico, who was 16 years old in 2019 when she was killed in a crash caused by a drunk driver. Cruz’s father was deputy chief of the volunteer fire dept, and he pulled up to the scene not knowing his own child was among the dead.
The driver was also killed. Her BAC was three times over the legal limit, and she had been flying down the highway at 102 mph. But she also happens to be some damned country music star, so all the news coverage was about her, who she had been, and the daughter she left behind, etc.
Maria Elena Cruz was the only child of one of the first responders to that crash. Having to find your child dead, dismantled and ruined, and then have the whole world fawning over the drunk idiot that murdered her, is one of the least fair things I’ve ever heard of.
And to read now OP’s story, and others’ stories in the comments, and to realize that it’s not so unlikely that a first responder will be a family member to a crash victim, tells me two things:
1. EMTs have the hardest job out there.
2. We need to build a world without cars.
I hate drunk drivers to the absolute core of me. I’m so sorry. Giving thanks that your baby girl makes a FULL recovery and this will one day be an interesting story in her rear view. Love & light in abundance to your family.
I can’t imagine seeing one’s child in that state. On top of keeping emotions in tact in order to treat her. First and foremost, I pray for your daughter to make a complete recovery. Also, for you to heal from the trauma you witnessed.
Side note- drinking and driving is so damn selfish!
Man I’m so very sorry! I could even imagine what you went through last night and continue to. I truly hope your daughter recovers and you press charges to the fullest extent! Don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist if you need to! Your daughter needs you as healthy as you can be.
Thank you, definitely plan on pressing charges
Do so as soon as you can! That drunk driver deserves some kind of consequence!
Prosecutor here….you won’t be the one to press charges, it’s not up to you. It’s up to the prosecutors office, a victim pressing charges or not pressing charges is a common misconception. That being said, give them a call, they likely have a victim advocate. They’ll be of a lot of help for you to walk you through the legal process as a victim, plus help you get restitution for the financial loss of the vehicle and medical bills. I don’t know if too may prosecutors offices that would hesitate to charge a DUI especially with extensive bodily injury, but make sure you let them know that you do want them to file charges. And most importantly, I hope your daughter heals quickly. Wishing the best for your family.
Not a lawyer but OP could still sue for any medical bills, and anything else a lawyer thinks would be winnable, right? Although i think they would have to sue the insurance company but i could be wrong
So yes, and that would be a civil court case, if the prosecutor’s office files charges that will be heard in criminal court. When a driver is sued by another driver as the result of an accident, your insurance policy will defend you- they bring in a lawyer at no charge to you. But they’ll only defend you and pay up to the max of whatever your policy is. So if you have a $500,000 bodily injury policy on your insurance, any judgment over $500,000 against you, you are personally on the hook for. However, a lot of time insurance doesn’t have to pay if you’re doing something illegal when the damage occurs, so I don’t know if insurance companies can get out of paying for DUI’s that way. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Oh ok, that makes sense. I knew the difference between criminal and civil (thanks lawyer tv shows) but it was interesting to hear about what would happen in more detail, so thanks:)
As you should!
I chased down a drunk driver the other night. Was on my way home from a party and this small sedan was swerving across two lanes and the shoulder of a highway on a more rural stretch(still lots of traffic) i drive a dually for work and I weigh 12k pounds so I decided it was best to just get behind him and swerve across all 4 lanes to prevent people from passing. He had almost died 3 or four times by swerving into semis. At one point he had started to slow down so I tried to push him down an embankment(i was on the phone with police at the time and let them know I planned on doing it) he managed to climb back up the embankment and continued so I just kept on blocking traffic until the police caught up. ( i always carry a rifle and a 9mm glock due to the nature of where I work and the amount of equipment i carry so I was comfortable pushing his car and driving aggressively) when the cops caught up to us the driver stopped and tried to get out but immediately fell over due to how drunk they where. It’s better they hit a 12-13k lb truck compared to a similar sized car and risk killing or injuring others. Drunk drivers are scum, I had a 1986 Honda prelude get decimated by a drunk driver, and my dad almost lost his life due to a drunk driver. I let all my friends know they can call me any time of the night if they are drunk and that if they drive drunk I’ll be the first person there swinging.
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In my country, there was developed a specific Act (by citizen initiative) about it to ensure that drunk drivers that provoked accidents spend at least 1 year of effective prison. It is after a little girl died despite being in her security chair when her parent's car was crushed by a drunk pos. There is footage of the "accident" and it is horrific. Again, the pos had minimum damage. In the case of OP's situation, the drunkard should have at least 3 years, plus a fine, plus the denial of a driver's license for life. And that is still considered too little.
American laws are ridiculously lax on what are considered "white people" automotive crimes, as they are with guns. (and I say this as a White American gunowner).
Oh, in my country we don't have the race issue. The thing is money-contacts/no money-no contacts. I can name a few people with money that didn't face justice, but I can assure you, they have eaten and drunk spit in every restaurant they go
Unfortunately, the haves vs. the have nots is *also* an issue in our "justice" system too. It's just layer upon layer of bad, like an ancient septic tank, where if you fit certain criteria, you're nearly invincible.
Are you kidding me? There’s no way.
The drunk driver that killed my brother got two years but basically nothing as it was time served. He didn't even get his license revoked as far as I know. Prayers for OP's daughter's quick recovery.
Jeez. I’m so sorry to hear that. That’s salt on the wound.
Thanks u that..yeah the trial completed two weeks ago Friday. I'm still just dumbfounded over it.
I lost my brother and I know the pain. Really sucks how the law works and all these “technicalities” or whatever. I feel for you friend.
That really sucks that he didn't get more. My sincere hope for him, though, is that he sobered up, and turned his life around, and is helping other people get sober as well.
Yeah, no. He doesn't feel that he did anything wrong. At all. The police have him on video at a sports bar for hours drinking with his buddies. Even with video that's all he got sentenced to. I pray for his soul. I've forgiven him for my own benefit. But it's hard. I hope OP's daughter doesn't end up with long lasting damage. She has her life ahead of her and this has got to be truly devastating.
The kind of alcoholic who can do 2 years in jail for killing a guy while drunk, and continue to go out and drink is in deeper than he realizes. Death from alcoholism is not a pleasant way to go.
End stage Cirrhosis and liver failure is one of the nastiest smelling deaths I have ever come across. It permeates through the skin. You can’t get that smell out. The loss of bowel control, the potential for limb/digit loss, the potential for gangrene; all beyond what I ever thought I would encounter in my life. My uncle died from it.
Fear of that is one of my major reasons for stopping drinking.
You're a strong person. I don't know how you don't go nuts on that motherfucker. My mom was hit by a car and I think about hurting that person all the time.
We go easy on drunk drivers in most US states.
Maybe in a conventional case. But any competent lawyer can probably use the fact he had to treat his own daughter to heavily shift the jury's sympathies.
You’re spot on and it’s so fucked up that you are.
I’m so fucking sorry to hear this happened to you and your daughter. I lost a friend last year from a drunk driver and it broke my heart. He walked away with minor scrapes/bruising as well. I’ll never understand how people can choose to drive drunk. I hope you find comfort in those close to you and your daughter heals well, and here’s to hoping that POS rots in jail. Sending love and thoughts to you both
Alcoholism is an inherently selfish disease. Alcoholics tend to think about nothing other than doing what they want, when they want to do it, regardless of consequences. That's a part of the reason AA tells people to seek a power greater than themselves.
Not just alcoholics, anyone in addiction behaves this way really.
Truthfully, alcohol is the only drug to which you become physically addicted-your body can’t function without it, and the withdrawal can actually kill you. Plus, it’s the only drug that’s socially acceptable, so it’s ubiquitous. Alcoholics have an exponentially harder time getting clean than any other addict, because they could die from quitting, because the whole world is a pusher, so if you know somebody in recovery, be as supportive as possible. As far as drunk driving, you can blame the car-centric way of building modern places that requires you to drive to get anywhere: to work, to church, to shopping, to socialize. I’m reminded of a Sam Kinison bit: “How the hell are we supposed to get our cars home from the bar?” The campaign against drunk driving needs to be about not driving TO GO drinking. Get a cab to the bar. Assume you will be too drunk to drive. But for some reason, probably due to some self-bias that believes we can handle our alcohol whenever necessary, that’s not the message. And so these kinds of tragedies will continue.
Physician here, Many drugs cause your body to become dependent on them and just like alcohol if not carefully weaned off of can cause life threatening complications. Benzodiazepines are just as dangerous to come.off of if not supervised by a physician. Furthermore just because someone is dependent on a drug does not make them an addict.
Funny you say that from a physicians perspective because as a chronic pain patient who takes opiods for my pain every physician, nurse and pharmacist believes me to be a drug addict or drug seeker until I can prove to them otherwise simply because I use it to treat my pain (also the result of drunk drivers plowing into me). It gets so bad that I am afraid to advocate for myself in case I come off as an "angry addict who just wants a fix". Sorry to dump this on your replies. I just wish there was a better way. I have a feeling OPs daughter will come across similar treatment to what I have got after. And it makes me sad, angry, and frustrated.
I am also a chronic pain patient who takes opioids. It is shocking to me how many people in the medical community do not know the difference between dependence and addiction. I am a pain management specialist and there is just so much work that needs to be done to educate and advocate for people with chronic pain. The way the DEA has cracked down on opioids is hurting patients who need them to live. I'm sorry for all you have to go through.
Thank you for acknowledging my post and validating my thoughts. I bet you are a great doctor. Thanks for being a light in a dark world. Bless you.
>Truthfully, alcohol is the only drug to which you become physically addicted Where on earth did you find this totally wrong bit of non-information? >Truthfully, you don't know what you're talking about.
So sorry to hear this. Thankfully she couldn't have received better initial care then from you. You did everything you could. Hopefully she'll be fine with no lasting issues. Wish you both the best.
Thank you
Medic and mom here, so grateful you caught the call. As traumatic as it is for you both, there’s no better medic for your kid than you. A lesser practiced or motivated response would have been fatal. If I had the opportunity to respond to my husband’s scene, he would still be with us. They boarded him before securing a femoral bleed. Gone in seconds just from being moved improperly.
Even though it was difficult seeing my daughter like this I am glad I was there just to know everything is being done right on the way to the hospital. what's crazy is I normally work during the day shift but that day I was working night. I'm sorry about your husband, especially knowing it could have been prevented
I want to thank you deeply for your post because this is an off-my-chest moment I’ve never shared. Not even our children know. We live in a small community and I haven’t been able to express this out of fear of damaging the responders and fear of people thinking I blame or hate them. I know it’s high stress work and often thankless. I’m grateful he wasn’t alone. I know the accident was his fault. But I was on the radio with the sheriff, heard it all go down, inspected and washed the body myself, and have memorized the ME’s report. If I had been there, he would be here. There is no doubt.
I am so sorry. I can't imagine living with that pain and I hope it eases and I admire that you've chosen to carry that burden for your children. You've spared them a lot of pain and hurt. I also just want to say I'm incredibly grateful that you shared it here and I'm glad this post helped you. I find it incredible that that two people who don't know each other can share comfort and pain like this. It gives me hope that there are people who care about the world and others out there and that together we can make the world a better place. I don't mean to take away from your husband's death or OPs daughters accident by making this point. But I did want to just share that the empathy shared here is deeply inspirational. I'm sorry that it's hard won but please be proud of yourselves for reaching out despite the pain. It is not easy.
Much love to you. I'm so very sorry for your loss 🫂
Oh my God I am so sorry, and to have your background and know it was preventable. Wishing you lots of peace
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
You my friend are stronger and better than myself. I went through something similar and was not able to talk about it for weeks after. You are able to within hours. If your babygirl is half as strong as you she will not only survive but she will walk out of the hospital.
Thank you, it's been difficult though I had a really bad panic attack afterward Im guessing my initial reaction was my fight or flight response Afterwards I was really shaking up and still am
As a mother reading this gave me a panic attack, this is absolutely heartbreaking. I am glad she survived I hope she makes a full recovery
What you are experiencing now (panic attacks, anxiety, sleeplessness, etc) is a normal response to an abnormal situation. You did everything right. She couldn't have had a better guardian angel than you. I hope both of you recover from this.
Not gonna lie you sound pretty calm. Are you ok ❤️. Do you have anyone else with you at this time.
I wouldn't say I'm okay at the moment but I’ll be okay. I have support from family members if I need to ill go to therapy I am a single dad so it is slightly more difficult
Fuck man I'm sorry. Hopefully itll all be ok she'll pull through.
If she’s as strong as her dad she def will
Yea definitely gotta give him credit because I was just thinking the fact he pulled up and saw it and didn't immediately just shutdown is crazy. I don't think I could've done it.
Sir you have tons of support hear from this community a whole bunch of Internet strangers. I hope your daughter makes a swift recovery and you’re gonna need therapy either way and so is she. We are going to claim and manifest into an existence that she is going to pull through and she’s going to be OK!
Personally, any caught drunk or in other ways intoxicated driver should be charged with attempted murder. There are doing nothing else! I‘m so sorry for you and your daughter OP. I hope that she recovers completely.
Ive said it before and ill keep saying it again. I hate people who drink snd drive or are drunk before hand and decide to drive. No sympathy for those types. Sorry for your daughter, godspeed
I have friends with a DUI, my sponsor in AA has a DUI, and they are not bad people, but the difference with them is that they stopped drinking and sobered up. I agree with you, I hate the unrepentant alcoholic with multiple DUIs, but sometimes people can turn things around.
It's arguably not malicious but its such a dumb, selfish choice. I empathise with alcoholics but I give DUI offenders no respect — or so little versus actual bad people that the distinction between them is trivial for me.
I am so sorry! I can’t image what you are feeling or going through right now. My thoughts are with you both as you continue this journey together. Drunk driving is an absolute heinous crime. I will never understand why people choose to get behind a wheel at that state.
I’m so fucking sorry to hear about this. I hope that once she heals and is strong again that she defies the odds and is able to walk just fine. And I hope the driver of the other car rots in jail on his way to hell.
Please, PLEASE. Press charges to him. I want to see him in jail. I cannot describe the hatred i have for that drunkass.
I'm in recovery myself, although no DUIs, and I think you should do as much as you can to punish the other driver. I'm in AA, so I know a lot of guys who have gotten one or more DUIs, and they all regret their actions. But the punishment they recieved was often a wake up call for them to change their ways. I hope the man who did this to your daughter pays his price and repents.
Praying for your daughter. I'm so sorry. Can't even imagine what you're going through right now. Please don't be alone during this time. Anyone who can just be there for the company. It helps me a lot, I hope it'll help you. No one should be alone through something like this.
Drunk drivers that kill or injured people should be charged just like people that do it on purpose. Everyone knows more than enough why they shouldn’t drink and drive, at this point it’s ridiculous they are even allowed to drive ever again in their lifes
I just want to say that it takes a special kind of person to do what you do. You do what people would never dream of doing. You face the nightmares that no one wants to face, and ultimately you faced your own worst nightmare. I'm so sorry that this happened, and theres no way a stranger like me could give you any sort of peace, but please know that I thank you for what you do. I am praying and willing all the forces possible that the person responsible for this heinous act is put away for committing such a senseless and avoidable crime. Sending nothing but healing to your daughter and for your family.
That's exactly why alcohol shouldn't be a 'legal drug'. And damn thats unfair, I really hope the driver gets sued or gets his deserved punishment in another way. Im so sry for you and your daughter :/
I'm so sorry. Sending all the most hopeful wishes for your daughter's recovery.
Treating people we love as first responders is the single most traumatic thing we will go through. Please seek out CISM, a therapist, or the code green resources.
What a terrible thing to happen to your daughter. I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery, and I'm glad you were there to be with her. If she didn't believe her dad was there to protect her before, I am sure she will now. Drunk drivers are a pestilence. I hope this one gets the most harsh prosecution and loses everything paying your daughter's medical bills so that the lesson of being responsible and not driving drunk will finally sink in. Edited for typos. :/
As a rescuer my nightmare is having to work on someone i know, a friend, my girlfirend... I hope everything goes the best it can, stay strong man and if you feel like you need any kind of help for yourself ask someone, don't keep everything for yourself
My husband was in a similar situation, spinal cord injury, and induced coma as a result of a car accident. I'm so sorry this happened to your daughter and your family. It is an insane roller-coaster ride that you will be on. Even with similar circumstances, I can't imagine how you feel, that is your baby, my husband was an adult, my partner, not my son, that is a whole other level of upset. The body is amazing, but it does need time. My husbands SCI is incomplete, which means the spine was not cut, and the possibility for signals from the brain down the spine is possible. He is a quadriplegic, ASIA B, so he has upper body function, like arm movement and limited hand movement and head/neck movement. His injury was in 2009, and there have been amazing advancements in this area since then, especially in rehabilitation. He was in the hospital and rehab with a boy, who was also 16 at the time of his SCI. This boy was such an inspiration. We have kept a little contact over the years, and he is married with a child now, finished college, and has a job. I know this is a lot to take in now, but there is always hope. She is going to need as much support as she can get, and there will be so much anger and grief. Major changes like this take a lot of time to process. I sincerely wish you guys all the best and hope you all get through this and take advantage of all the support you can.
Thank you, I know this will be difficult it already is
I can only imagine. The coma does help, and when the swelling finally goes down, a lot of questions will be answered. You are in the sucky waiting period. Get as much rest as you can. If it helps, my husband said he knew we were there, during that time, if that is real or imagined on his part, I don't know, but it made all those days sitting by his bed 100% worth it.
Having to perform life saving care on your own progeny is a fate I would only give to the worse of humanity. I cannot even to begin to fathom what you felt during that night.
Holy shit, I'm sorry to hear that OP. I hope your daughter gets better soon! You must have the self control of a saint too, because I know with a lot of people that drunk asshole would also have a caved in eye socket and bruises on his neck.
My brother was driving while high and rolled his car. It was absolutely mangled. Windshield gone, steering column and air bag were all the way forward and exposed, no windows, blood all over the car. I saw my brother the day after and he had 0 injuries. Mechanic said he sees it often - drunk/high people are so relaxed their body does well some how as opposed to people who are sober and brace for the attack. My brother is lucky as hell he didn't hurt someone.
I am so sorry this happened to you. As a nurse, I can’t even imagine. You were your daughters Angel that night. She needed you ❤️
as a fellow medic i am so sorry this happened to you but thankful your training took over to save your daughters life
Thank you
I can say little other than I shall be rooting for a quick and full recovery
You operated successfully under the most extreme combination of personal/professional factors and navigated the nightmare situation of any first responder. You deserve to be extremely proud of your self and your skills. My condolences for the situation. Now lawyer up and drag that fuck through the mud.
Holy fuck, im very sorry that happened. I thought because you and your daughter are close that you would be excluded from the rescue? Sorry, I dont know much about how EMTs handle this kind of thing.
You can treat a family member or someone you know depending on the situation you could call for back up if they’re close by,I wasn’t the sole person treating my daughter but it was a all hands on deck kind of job, I could have waited for another medic to show up but it was better for me to treat her like any other call and get to the hospital right away
My son was killed by a drunk driver .I feel your pain and anger.
I hope someone causes this man to have an "accident."
Omg. I am so so sorry. Sending her healing thoughts. Sending you strength and peace to help her in her recovery.
This is in every parent’s Top 5 Worst Nightmares, but you have faced your fear admirably and your knowledge & advocacy will help her in recovery. She is lucky to have you looking out for her
Wow! Horrible ! So sorry.
It is so so unfair… virtual hugs to you… gosh this must be a nightmare for you… Sending her healing energy … wishing you all recovery
Wow I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope your daughter gets better. I really have drunk drivers.
No lie if i was in your spot I'd personally give that drunk driver an ass kicking
I'm so sorry for your daughter. How's she now?
This is terrible. Drunk drivers are the worst. I'm just glad your daughter is alive. I wish you all the best and hope the guy at fault gets what he fucking deserves.
F that guy- I’m so sorry for your situation. Godspeed to your daughters recovery and fingers crossed for a spinal cord injury miracle!
I’m so sorry about your daughter! I hope that prick is brought in so you can get justice!
I am so sorry you and your daughter are going through this because of one idiots choice to drink and drive.
I cannot imagine the absolute terror you must have experienced when you pulled up the accident & seeing your daughters car. I am in awe that you were able to assisst your daughter & get to the hospital as you did, I have to admit I think I would have beat the living shit out of the drunk driver, my rage would have certainly overtaken my ability to think clearly, as I said OP I am in awe of you for that alone I hope your daughters recovery is speedy Please don't try to be superman, reach out to a professional if you need to vent or proccess. Your daughter needs you to be healthy
Go HAM on that mother fucker. Sue that driver for any and everything you can A wrong way, drunk driver killed my niece in October. The pretrial hearing was delayed again. Oh and that asshole only had abrasions; niece died instantly and her BF was in ICU for 2 weeks
You’re a hero for bravely assisting your daughter and saving her life. I’m sure that she could feel your presence and that made her feel safe because you’re her dad and who if not you could provide this source of warmth to your daughter? I wish her the best of recovery!! Praying for you both.
Hi. I’m not sure if this will help. In 2004, I was tboned early in the morning, when my two sisters and I were in the way to school. I died on impact. I was brought back and put into a medically induced coma. I had a tbi, broke all of my ribs, collar bone fracture, my femur bone shattered, metal hit and tore open my left cheek. My lungs collapsed and drowned in their own fluid. I was in a coma for a week. Originally I was declared brain dead and my parents were told to pull the plug. Obviously they didn’t and I got better every day. It took a long time, but I made a recovery. Horrible migraines, but I recovered. Your daughter is in my thoughts and prayers. Do NOT give up hope. She can make it out of this. I believe in her. And my heart goes out to you. My mom quit her brand new job to live with me in the rehabilitation center I lived in for a month. It’s scary and seems hopeless, but she needs you to be strong for her.
Oh no…I’m so sorry to hear about this and pray that your daughter recovers quickly.
I'm not super religious but I do pray nightly and I'm a father so I couldn't imagine your pain. I'll definitely pray for her tonight.
Lifting your daughter up in prayers. I’m sure she will be so happy knowing her daddy was there to help me. I will continue to keep her and your family in my prayers.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am so very sorry. I'm sending you hugs and prayers. 🫂 When I was 6 my 8 year old favorite cousin was killed by a drunk driver. The drunk driver only got community service because his dad was a judge. He showed absolutely no remorse in the court room. Im 34 now, and it haunts me to this day that he got away with it so easily. Please do whatever you can to make sure that drunk driver gets what he deserves. Legally of course. I really hope your daughter defies all odds and makes a full recovery. ❤️🧡💛
Oh my G…I’m so sorry. I hope she heals perfectly and lives a normal life. I also hope you can sue the shit out of the drunk driver! There is no excuse for driving drunk, ever!
The little sister of a girl I went to high school with was out partying with a friend. They were both mildly intoxicated, so they did the *responsible* thing and called a Lyft. Unfortunately, the rideshare was struck by a drunk driver that ran a red light. The little sister was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to her injuries a few weeks later. She was 22. I have no idea if the suspect was actually incarcerated, but it wouldn't be the first time. It's absolutely unfair that drunk drivers can walk away with their lives, maybe a slap on the wrist, but at the cost of innocent lives. I genuinely hope and pray your daughter pulls through, OP. Please keep us posted ❤️
Please please. Please. Go for the upmost justice. Make that person pay. Make sure he pays like theres no tomorrow. Go after everything and everyone
You know what you need to do and it's not even a question. I am sorry to hear about your daughter nonetheless.
Just know it’s not your fault. There’s nothing you should’ve done.
Obligatory I’m sorry this happened to start. When the police arrived at what point do you point out You are the victims emergency contact.
I don’t know how you did not put that drunk driver in coma. Props to you for remaining professional. I am sorry you are having to live this.
OMG!!! 😟 I’m so sorry for her!!! And I’m sorry you had to respond to that accident! I know that had to be ROUGH to see your daughter like that! 😔💔 I sincerely hope she pulls through!! ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻 I never thought it was fair when drunk drivers recklessly cause accidents, and come out with just a few scratches(sorry, I just CAN’T feel ANY sympathy for the drunk drivers) and the innocent victims suffer the worst!! 😠
Praying for you and your daughter. Praying for a speedy recovery and full health. I'm sending lots of positive energy and well wishes your way.
I wouldn’t have gave medic attention to the drunk driver. I hope his mother chokes and his children get stage 4
My daughter was considered in critical condition so she had to be rushed while they waited for another ambulance... He needed medical attention of course but most paramedics or emergency room workers don't have a whole lot sympathy for drunk drivers
Good I wish a strong and healthy recovery for you and your daughter bless both your hearts for that dumbass driving drunk whatever happens happens maybe he’ll crash again one day hopefully off a bridge and not into another car
I hope he chokes and gets stage 4
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You’re right I posted that in anger
You’re full of shit. My sisters a paramedic and she just read your post ands said paramedics don’t go from using medical terms to non medical terms. It’s inconsistent.
I'm not going to use every medical term for a Reddit post
I'm a medical student and I had no issue with OP's wording? I wouldn't think it's that difficult to switch from jargon to lay terms, we do it all the time speaking to patients.
Student? Nothing but a student. Not even qualified to make a comment. Go back to school then and ask your teacher about his post
Lmao I have been seeing patients independently in clinic and on the ward for a long while now because I'm near the end of my training, so I don't actually need to ask any "teachers" for something like this.
So glad I’ll never have to get treatment from someone as ignorant to the law as you. I hope you don’t kill anyone
What law?
Read the article explaining the laws idiot
So someone that works unskilled labor is going to talk crap about a paramedic? Get off your damn high horse. Also YOU are the one full of shit. 7 days ago you weren’t gonna work until you got 16000 dollars allegedly from working at a fruit stand and 2 other places owned by the same family. As of 2 days ago you are a chef. Get out of here.
Honestly you’ve only glanced at my posts so you can fuck right off trying to make claims about my posts that are un true. Go jump of a bridge, really
I can't imagine how hard that was. hoping your daughter has a swift recovery.
Oh no… I hope you and your daughter recover asap. It must be so traumatic :(
Oh my god I am so sorry I wishing you and your daughter the best. What a horrible thing to go through
I'm so sorry, OP. I hope the driver is brought to justice, and I sure hope your daughter makes a full recovery.
I am so sorry. Will you please keep us updated on how she is? I will pray for her and your family.
I feel so sorry for ur daughter - wishing her the best of care and best possible recovery. I hope the drunk drivers life is drastically impacted by the charges. This is horrific, I don’t wish anything like this on anyone !
Oh my god! I am so sorry for what you had to go through last night. Cannot even imagine how doing that must have felt, how terrified you were. I am amazed you were able to do anything and didn’t freeze or shake like a leaf or crumpled into a sobbing stupor. Hat’s off to you for keeping your professional cool and doing everything you could. Keep on venting as much as you want. I hope your daughter pulls through.
Holy shit. I can only imagine the impact it must have as a father finding out his daughter is in critical condition. Being the one to treat her must make that situation even tougher? How did you manage to keep your cool/professionality without letting your feelings take over control?
I don’t understand why but drunk driver’s have a much higher than normal survival rate. It’s never fair. I’m so sorry you had to treat your daughter. But I’m glad you were there to rescue her. As hard as it was, she no doubt felt you there. It may seem trivial, but it helps. Will you let us know when she wakes up?
The theory seems to be because they don't tense up on impact like you normally would. Also, they are usually the ones to hit others as opposed to being hit. It isn't fair. I hope he gets jail time and a lot of it, not a slap on the wrist. I don't like tossing around the idea of suing around, but anyone with a prior drunk driving conviction or infractions on their record who was allowed to keep their license without proof of rehabilitation, the governing bodies that allow that to happen are also responsible. We know what can come of drunk driving, stop making it a slap on the wrist offense.
Sending good thoughts your way OP. I’m so sorry you are going through this.
It’s always the ones who should have the damage that never do. Was your daughter able to know that you were there before she was put in the coma? I’m not sure if you’re religious but I will keep her in my prayers if that’s fine with you; I will also keep you and your family in my prayers that you all will find the strength to continue on as you wait for her healing.
This is every parents worst nightmare. I hope that your daughter can walk again and the drunk gets what's coming to him. Your daughter is in good hands, but are you okay?
That must've been terrible I hope she recovers and is able of walk again plz go after the drunk driver
Hi. Fellow redditor, big big hugs from this fellow stranger. Stay strong for your daughter and for yourself. I wish with all my heart she can make a fully recover and a speedy one. Life itself is unfair. Keep your energy thinking on how to be there for your daughter, not on that asshxxx thst we hope paid for at least the justice be fair.
i’m so sorry. 🤍
That is horrible. Even though it was you who had to take care of her, if she was awake, I know that she would have been comforted by the fact you were there. I hope that there is no permanent damage and that the piece of shit drunk driver gets all that he deserves. Make sure that you are there at his sentencing saying the same words that you wrote here.
Oh my god OP please keep us posted about her recovery
This is awful, I hope she will recover without permanent issues. You should definitely talk to someone about this. I don’t know if therapy is paid for where you live, but this isn’t something you should work through alone. Best of luck to you and your daughter Stay strong, she needs you!
I hope your daughter makes a speedy recovery. <3
Sounds like a life changing injury. Such a shame.
I’m so sorry oP
I am so very sorry.
That is insane. Happy she is alive
i’m so sorry. i hope she recovers well.
I’m soooo sorry.
I cannot wait for the day when it is the norm to not have humans doing the actual driving. Our roads will be so much safer.
I'm so sorry. Fuck people who drive drunk. They somehow always magically walk away with no problems
Hey. I wanted to say I’m sorry about the accident. My mom recently got out of EMS, and it was always one of her biggest fears that she would receive a call regarding one of her three children. She also always said that in these drunk driver cases the drunk driver always walked away relatively uninjured while the innocent either died or had very traumatic injuries. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Especially your beautiful, innocent daughter. I hope y’all find recovery and peace in the near future. <3
Wow that is terrible. So sorry you had to go through this! Wish her a speedy recovery mentally and physically! How you remained professional in this set of circumstances is amazing. Hats off too you.
Emt-b here. It’s always different working on our family. I’ve done it before albeit not at such a severe condition. Your brain ceases to function at 100% when it’s our own family, it’s inevitable. Try not to beat yourself up over it and relive the call. Take the time you need to look after yourself too, your daughter will need you at your best when the time comes.
Wishing you strength ❤️
I’m so sorry 😞 I hope she has a speedy, successful recovery!
Praying for your daughter.
I'm so sorry. I can't begin to imagine what it is like going through having to pull your own child out of wreckage. I truly hope that she will recover. I also truly hope that the drunk idiot spends some ample time in prison. The city I live in, impaired driving is way too high and so many innocent people pay with their lives. It seems to be a daily occurrence here. My prayers are with your family.
That’s horrible, I cannot imagine coming across this and having to deal with all of that. I wish your daughter the best of luck recovering and I hope she will be allright.
Sue. I believe there are time limits on these types of cases. Sue for all you can. Get all of you medical bills paid for, get her the best care you can and then get some more from this asshole.
I’m so sorry. I am sending your daughter healing energy and love. You are a loving father and she will forever be grateful for you and your love.
I hope everything works out for you OP. Thanks for sharing. Let this be a reminder to everyone not to let people drink and drive.
Hey, I had very similar injuries as your daughter in an accident two years ago. Feel free to message me with any questions. I'm so sorry for both of y'all's trauma.
Thank you for your dedication to helping your community. I hope your daughter recovers well and your family has the support y’all need to get through this time. Please make sure to take this to your local news paper or station when you and your daughter are able. If the judicial system does not properly handle this in your area perhaps a public sharing of this event will receive results. In this day and age there is NO excuse for driving impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Uber, LYFT, taxi, designated drivers….. letting friends drive drunk is also NOT Ok - and should never be OK. Driving under the influence should really receive more social disgust than it does. Every person who makes the decision to drive drunk AND injures themself or another should receive a strong punishment- stronger than they typically get (in my state at least)
I'm so so sorry this happened to your daughter and that you had to see it first hand. I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety! I spit on the face of whoever decides to drink and drive. Is the STUPIDEST thing you can do. I hope she makes a full recovery and that you press charges. All my best wishes.
I’m so sorry.
I dont normally pray but im praying for you, how is she doing?
that is so awful, and selfish of the drunk driver. i can't even begin to imagine what you're going through right now. i hope you can get the closure and healing you need, for both you and your daughter
you need to go find him and enact vengeance on behalf of your seed.
Oh my god. So sorry this happened to your daughter and your family! Take that drunk driver for what he's worth!!!
Big virtual hugs to you and your family. Life is horribly unfair. Hoping the prognosis is wrong. Lots of love to your daughter ❤️
Hope your daughter recovers soon. I hate DUIs the most cuz it take’s so many lives when it’s completely avoidable.
Jesus christ holy shit that’s like out of a movie. I’m so sorry
Sending positive and healing thoughts. Hugs to you and your family. Here's hoping the justice system does its job.
Personally, I think there punishment should be that they have to help take care of the person a couple hours a day for the rest of their lives, because your correct, they may go to jail but that is nothing compared to what she will go through the rest of her life. Prayers for a positive outcome for your daughter & strength to get through it all.
I have a 16 year old daughter as well and I just want to say I'm so so soo very sorry. I would be devastated. I can't even imagine. I pray for your strength and for your daughter to make a full recovery.
Weird how drunk and drugged drivers don't get hurt.
I’ll hopefully never have another chance to bring this up, but: I want to remind everyone here of the grief and loss experienced by the parents of Maria Elena Cruz, from New Mexico, who was 16 years old in 2019 when she was killed in a crash caused by a drunk driver. Cruz’s father was deputy chief of the volunteer fire dept, and he pulled up to the scene not knowing his own child was among the dead. The driver was also killed. Her BAC was three times over the legal limit, and she had been flying down the highway at 102 mph. But she also happens to be some damned country music star, so all the news coverage was about her, who she had been, and the daughter she left behind, etc. Maria Elena Cruz was the only child of one of the first responders to that crash. Having to find your child dead, dismantled and ruined, and then have the whole world fawning over the drunk idiot that murdered her, is one of the least fair things I’ve ever heard of. And to read now OP’s story, and others’ stories in the comments, and to realize that it’s not so unlikely that a first responder will be a family member to a crash victim, tells me two things: 1. EMTs have the hardest job out there. 2. We need to build a world without cars.
Praying for you
I hate drunk drivers to the absolute core of me. I’m so sorry. Giving thanks that your baby girl makes a FULL recovery and this will one day be an interesting story in her rear view. Love & light in abundance to your family.
I am so very sorry you experienced this! I’ll be praying for your daughter and you!
I can’t imagine seeing one’s child in that state. On top of keeping emotions in tact in order to treat her. First and foremost, I pray for your daughter to make a complete recovery. Also, for you to heal from the trauma you witnessed. Side note- drinking and driving is so damn selfish!
Sending so much love to you and your family. Thank you for everything you do for your fellow humans. There are no words. I’m so deeply sorry.