How the passengers of a head-on collision in Collier County are doing one month later

Reporter: Rachel Cox-Rosen Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:

Last month in Collier County, a van collided with a pickup truck head-on in a Collier County crash. Now, WINK News is learning the gruesome details from those who lived through it.

It started like any other day as the victims were on the way to work. That day changed Angelina Velasquez’s life forever. “At least I’m here alive. My hands are bad but, here I am,” said the mother from Immokalee.

She was in her van, with her son on the way to work, when a blue pickup truck crossed the centerline and hit her head-on.

“Thank god he’s ok if not who would do things around the house? He’s the one who’s taking care of me,” said  Velasquez.

That would have been Buenaventura Hernandez’s first-day of work. “I was thinking about what, how everybody else was inside, and my kids and my family, entire family,” said Hernandez.

There were 13 people in the van who went to the hospital. Their injuries ranged from broken arms to slashed wrists. Now, in the aftermath of last month’s collision, they’re dealing with yet another issue. Alicia Morales now owes thousands in medical bills.

“I feel sad. I feel alone and I don’t know… I’m desperate. I need to go to work for my kids,” Morales said.

The driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries and was given a ticket for an improper lane change.

“It’s not fair that the driver is free and we are all here in pain,” said Velasquez.

WINK News Reporter Rachel-Cox-Rosen spoke to the driver of the pickup truck.  He said he was distracted by something in his rearview mirror and it caused him to swerve into the other lane.

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