Woman Injured In Wrong-Way Crash Planning Memorial For Father, Brother
DENVER (CBS4)- A young woman who was injured in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 25 is planning a memorial service for her father and brother, both killed in the collision, while taking care of her mother who was also injured.
Now an appeal is being made to help that family, described as modest and giving.
Miguel Ramirez Gutierrez, 47, and his son, Michael Ramirez Muro, 17, were killed when the suspect driver headed south in the HOV lanes which were only for northbound traffic at the time.
Salma, 20, was in the vehicle with her father and brother, and Maria, her mother, at the time of the crash.
"She's planning a double memorial service for her father and her brother while attending to her mother's care and recovery," said family friend Jacqueline Jeske.
Maria remains hospitalized with serious injuries and will not be able to work for some time.
The family was returning home after picking up Maria from work when the crash happened.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help the Ramirez family.
A Colorado State Patrol spokesperson says it appears the driver going the wrong way appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
The suspect, Kimberly Ramirez Roldan, 24, is believed to have entered the highway at 70th avenue according to investigators. That is the same spot CBS4 has shown in the past where getting around the barrier is not that hard even though there are signs, cones and even a gate meant to stop drivers.
For the surviving members of the Ramirez family, life ahead is expected to be filled with difficulty. There will be funeral expenses, medical bills and daily living expenses. Jeske said there is also the emotional part,
"They cannot imagine how their lives will be without Miguel and Michael," she said.
Michael was a junior at Denver Center for International Studies. A letter from the principal Theresa McCorquodale read: He always had a smile on his face and a contagious positive attitude that brought joy to our students and faculty on a daily basis.
Salma also went to DCIS and has continued to mentor students to encourage them to go to college.
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.