Family details recovery after LA lunch date turns to nightmare as out-of-control car severs a mother’s legs

An 81-year-old California mom who loved to dance faces an agonizing recovery after losing both legs when a suspected drunk driver plowed into her during lunch with her daughter.

Cristina Vargas now lives a dramatically different life after the July 7 crash outside Los Cinco Puntos Mexican Deli in Boyle Heights. Cristina was eating with her daughter, Gabriela Vargas, when the crash occurred.

Surveillance footage obtained by ABC7 showed three people eating outside the restaurant when the vehicle veered onto the sidewalk shortly after 3 p.m., giving them little chance to get out of its path.

Cristina suffered devastating injuries that ultimately resulted in the loss of both legs.

Gabriela was also hurt, requiring staples for a cut to her head and suffering a leg injury that continues to affect her movement.

The once-active mom loved dancing, going to church, playing bingo and spending time with her family before the horrific collision, CBS News reported.

“All of a sudden I just remember seeing headlights and a car coming towards us and it just pinned my mom underneath the car,” Vargas told CBS.

Months later, she’s still in pain following the amputations and learning to adjust while Gabriela remains by her side every day.

“You’re my best friend. I’m going to get you a cool little electric car and you’re going to be hauling, and your hair is going to be flying in the wind,” Gabriela expressed to her mother in a CBS profile.

For Gabriela, the agony comes from knowing how much her mother’s everyday life has been altered.

“The most traumatic and saddest thing for me is that I get that the accident happened, but she lost her legs and that sometimes really tears at my heart the fact that her life is going to change from here going forward,” she told CBS.

Still, Vargas said knowing people are praying for the pair and sending well wishes has helped her stay strong enough to encourage her mother through the grueling recovery.

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