California mother loses both legs after SUV plows into outdoor restaurant table

While eating outdoors at Los Cinco Puntos in Boyle Heights on July 7, Cristina Vargas, her daughter Gabriela and a male friend were hit by an SUV that veered onto the sidewalk. Surveillance footage shows the driver, later identified as allegedly impaired, accelerating toward the diners before colliding with their table, pinning Vargas beneath the vehicle. Gabriela suffered a head injury and a deep knee cut, and the male companion was also hurt; all three were taken to hospital.

Vargas endured three operations and ultimately had both legs amputated. Police arrested a female suspect and charged her with several felonies. A GoFundMe page set a $50,000 goal and has collected roughly $27,000 to cover her extensive medical and rehabilitation expenses.