{"id":448225,"date":"2026-08-30T18:28:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T18:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/448225\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T18:28:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T18:28:09","slug":"california-mom-has-both-legs-amputated-after-car-hits-restaurant-in-boyle-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/448225\/","title":{"rendered":"California mom has both legs amputated after car hits restaurant in Boyle Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"

An 81-year-old mom was left fighting for her life and had both her legs amputated after an SUV plowed into the restaurant she was dining at.<\/a><\/p>\n

Cristina Vargas and her daughter Gabriela were sitting outside Los Cinco Puntos in Boyle Heights with a male friend on July 7 when the vehicle came barreling toward them.<\/p>\n

Surveillance footage shows the driver, who was allegedly impaired, traveling toward the outdoor dining area before suddenly veering onto the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

Cristina Vargas, her daughter Gabriela and a friend were dining at a Boyle Heights cafe when the car crashed into them.<\/p>\n

An impaired SUV driver crashed into the group, causing 81-year-old Cristina Vargas to lose both of her legs.<\/p>\n

The terrifying video captures the moment the vehicle smashes directly into the table where the three were eating in LA.<\/p>\n

The terrifying video captures the moment the vehicle smashes directly into the table where the three were eating.<\/p>\n

Screeching tires can be heard just before the SUV slams into the group, sending the table and other debris flying.<\/p>\n

Gabriela recalled the horrifying moment to KTLA<\/a>: \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said before she realized what was happening, she had been thrown through the air. \u201cThe next thing I knew, I was airborne.\u201d Cristina Vargas was pinned underneath the vehicle in the violent collision.<\/p>\n

Cristina Vargas was pinned underneath the vehicle in the violent collision. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Cristina Vargas and her daughter Gabriela smiling together. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

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Loved ones are rallying to help 81-year-old Vargas who lost both of her legs to an impaired driver who crashed into her. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

After undergoing three surgeries, the beloved mom ultimately had\u00a0both her legs amputated\u00a0as a result of the crash. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Gabriela suffered a head injury and a deep laceration to her knee, while their male friend was also injured. All three victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment.<\/p>\n

But Cristina\u2019s injuries were far more devastating. After undergoing three surgeries, the beloved mom ultimately had\u00a0both of her legs amputated<\/a>\u00a0as a result of the crash.<\/p>\n

Police determined the driver was allegedly impaired when the crash occurred. The female suspect was arrested and charged with multiple felonies.<\/p>\n

While Gabriela and the injured male diner have recovered, Vargas faces a long and painful recovery.<\/p>\n

Vargas has been undergoing physical rehabilitation at a recovery center and is preparing to return home to her family.<\/p>\n

While Gabriela and the injured male diner have recovered, Vargas faces a long and painful recovery.<\/p>\n

The 81-year-old has been undergoing physical rehabilitation at a recovery center and is preparing to return home to her family.<\/p>\n

Despite having both legs amputated, Vargas has remained determined to keep moving forward.<\/p>\n

A GoFundMe<\/a> set up for the family describes Cristina as a vibrant and social woman who loved dancing and regularly attended events at a senior center.<\/p>\n

The fundraiser says the sudden loss of her mobility has left Cristina facing enormous medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and the need to make her home accessible for her new disability.<\/p>\n

The female driver was arrested and charged with multiple felonies following the sidewalk crash.<\/p>\n

The campaign had set a $50,000 goal and had raised roughly\u00a0$27,000 as of Sunday morning. An Aug. 17 update from the family thanked supporters and said the recovery was progressing slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you everybody for your love and support. We greatly appreciate it. It\u2019s a slow recovery but day by day we\u2019re getting through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The update added that Cristina\u2019s spirits remained hopeful despite the pain. \u201cRecovery is very painful but she\u2019s giving it her all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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