Family sacrifices to save son injured in fatal Alva crash

FORT MYERS, Fla. A 16-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was involved in a deadly crash nearly two weeks ago.

Marc Heckler was driving on Palm Beach Boulevard near Balsey Road on April 15 around 3:18 a.m. when 42-year-old Juan Carlos Monjaras, who was intoxicated and driving the wrong way, crashed into him.

“The guy supposedly didn’t have his lights on,” said Tom Heckler, Marc’s father. “He hit head-on, they were both going 60 mph. He never saw it coming.”

Monjaras was pronounced dead at the scene, while Heckler was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital, then Tampa General Hospital.

The Dunbar High School sophomore suffered two broken legs and internal bleeding, and has undergone six surgeries.

The family is now considering selling their home and condo to help pay the increasing medical bills.

Heckler is scheduled to have another surgery on his liver this week.