Idaho man wakes up paralyzed after horrific crash only to be told his three daughters were killed in the accident
IDAHO: A restaurant manager from Idaho woke up in the hospital paralyzed after a horrific crash only to be told that his three daughters who were in the car with him are no more. The father, 26-year-old Somchai Lurak, was left severely injured after a drunk driver hit his car at 80mph while the family had stopped their vehicle at a red light on August 10 this year.
The driver, 46-year-old Matthew Park, who escaped unharmed, appeared in court on Monday, September 9, for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to three counts of felony vehicular manslaughter and two counts of felony aggravated DUI.
Meanwhile, Lurak, who was in the driver's seat, was rendered unconscious, while his fiancée, 25-year-old Emma Weigand who was in the passenger seat, suffered broken arms and ribs. The pair's three daughters — six-year-old Aneena, five-year-old Kya and three-year-old Drayka — were killed in the collision near Hot Spring Landing, Idaho.
Lurak's brother, Anthony Smock, while talking to The Sun, said: "Just when I think I might be getting over the worst, tears just start pouring out of my eyes. I start thinking about my nieces' beautiful smiles and sweet little giggles, and how every time I would sweep them up into my arms and give them hugs and kisses. I want them back and I want my brother to be able to have his babies."
Smock added that it was a miracle Lurack was still alive after the crash: "Due to the accident, he is missing seven vertebrae in his neck and because of the place it is in his neck, doctors are amazed that he has any feeling in his legs whatsoever."
Lurack has reportedly been classed as an incomplete quadriplegic as he can feel his limbs but cannot move them. It is not yet certain whether he will be able to walk again.
Considering the severity of the 26-year-old's injury, his recovery period is set to be long and expensive. The victims' family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the treatment, and have raised $55,000 of the $100,000 goal so far.
Smock, along with his sister Amanda, broke the terrible news to Lurak after he woke up from sedation. "We had to wait till he was less sedated to tell him that his beautiful daughters were dead. They were the sweetest girls," Smock said.