EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A woman remains hospitalized and unresponsive after her windshield was hit by an object in a crash on I-10 in East El Paso, leaving her family searching for answers and urging drivers to secure anything that could become a deadly projectile.
Police said 43-year-old Norma Garcia was injured Wednesday afternoon near I-10 West by Lee Trevino when what appeared to be a pickaxe went through her windshield while she was driving.
Video from the crash shows a pickaxe on the hood of the SUV, and the windshield smashed.
Police have not said exactly what happened, but Garcia was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
Her son, Giovanni Garcia, said she has not woken up or spoken, but doctors have told the family she is showing signs of improvement.
“The biggest update that we got in this has been today,” Giovanni said. “She still hasn’t woken up or spoken or anything, but her swelling is getting better, her face is looking better. It’s looking as irritated.”
Destiny Venecia reports on Family of El Paso woman injured in I-10 crash seek answers as police investigate (Credit: KFOX14)
Despite the uncertainty, he said the family remains hopeful.
“We don’t know much of anything. She’s on the better side of things. She’s a warrior, she got it,” he said.
Giovanni said he believes the incident could have been prevented.
“I believe it’s a hundred percent that could have been preventable,” he said.
While police have not confirmed where the tool came from, the family believes it may have fallen from another vehicle.
Giovanni said the situation has been painful for the family.
“I don’t like being angry at people, and I don’t want to be angry at anybody, but I like to say that it does hurt,” he said.
He also urged drivers to be more careful, especially on busy highways.
RELATED: Police identify driver hurt in I-10 West crash near Lee Trevino in East El Paso
“I think people should have done their stuff more, especially on the road like I-10, where everybody’s at least going 60,” he said. “But you know, be safer about it. It shouldn’t ever happen.”
The family is asking drivers to secure tools and other loose items before getting on the road, hoping Garcia’s case serves as a warning.
“Yeah, it hurts, it hurts that like that they left for sure,” Giovanni Garcia said.
He thanked those who have reached out to support the family.
“Thank you to everyone for your guys is the nations and prayers and support. It means the world to us. My mom got it,” he said.
The family said police have not provided many details as the investigation continues, and they are asking the community to keep Garcia in their prayers.
RELATED: Serious-injury crash shuts down all westbound lanes on I-10 in East El Paso
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.