MURRIETA, CA — A 17-year-old from Murrieta is facing a long road to recovery after a devastating car crash in January left him unable to walk — but he isn’t giving up hope.
Jairo Diaz, who just two months ago was eagerly anticipating his graduation from Murrieta Mesa High School, and planning his future in the military, is determined to regain his ability to walk, according to The Press-Enterprise in a recent report.
Diaz was driving home around 8:30 p.m. on the evening of Jan. 16 when he lost control of his vehicle after trying to brake at an intersection that was set to flashing red lights when he was involved in what police described as “a major traffic collision,” the Menifee Police Department told the Press-Enterprise.
The crash left him with horrific injuries.
He was rushed by ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar before being airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center for specialized care, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized by his girlfriend.
Diaz suffered extensive injuries, including a bruised artery near his heart, a ruptured kidney, and a fractured pelvis, Athena Tovar said. “Doctors inserted a stent in his aorta to repair the artery, and he now relies on a nephrostomy bag due to kidney damage.
“His fractured pelvis required a complex surgical procedure involving multiple metal screws and chains for reinforcement. Before surgery, his femur had to be carefully realigned using a metal rod and clamp system. The six-hour operation required multiple blood transfusions due to significant blood loss.”
In addition to internal injuries, Diaz’s face was severely wounded by shattered glass, requiring over 30 stitches across his forehead, eyes, nose, and mouth. As he recovered from multiple surgeries, further complications arose — one of his lungs collapsed, forcing doctors to place him on a breathing machine. After several days, he could at last breathe on his own again.
Now, his girlfriend is working to raise $15,000 toward his long journey of recovery.
Diaz will be unable to bear weight on his legs for the next several weeks, after which he will begin three to nine months of physical therapy, his girlfriend wrote. “That’s where the fundraiser will come in handy.
Tovar says his recovery will require extensive medical care and ongoing therapy.
“We are hopeful that during his rehabilitation and recovery, he will regain the ability to walk again,” Tovar wrote. “With your help, we can make that possible. Please help with any amount.“
The campaign had raised $5,235 as of Friday morning.
“We ask that you please find it in your heart to help this young man move forward after enduring so much,” she said.
Find Diaz’s “Road to Recovery” GoFundMe here.
