Two girls injured in this week’s deadly Santa Ysabel car crash are making progress in their road to recovery, according to their father.
Irene Aguilar, 13, and Audry Aguilar, 6, were seriously injured in the crash that killed their mother, Mary Helen Aguilar, and their two other sisters, 9-year-old Jennifer and 7-year-old Camryn on Tuesday.
The driver of the Pontiac Vibe that reportedly slammed head-on into Mary Helen’s packed minivan, Francisco Higueros Perez, was also killed in the crash.
Audry had life-threatening injuries, including intestinal injuries, a broken back and a severed spinal cord, her father Gerardo Aguilar told NBC 7 San Diego. Irene suffered several broken bones and had to undergo surgery.
Gerardo said he was told Audry would never walk again. However, he said the 6-year-old has been making significant progress at the hospital, giving him newfound hope.
“Doctors are saying there is a chance. There is hope. I love that word….hope,” said Gerardo.
Gerardo said Audry is getting some feeling back in her legs, while Irene has been taken out of intensive care and is expected to make a full recovery.
“[Irene] got her cast on. Her friends are marking it up. She just got a pedicure manicure, so she's doing her girly thing. Being sassy like she normally is,” the father said.
As for Audry, he’s hoping she will one day be able to walk and said she experienced some pain in her thighs at the hospital on Friday, signaling progress.
“She can feel pain. I never thought that, you don't want your kids to feel pain, but I was jumping for joy when she felt some pain. I was tearing, like oh my lord….. wow,” said Gerardo.
The next step to recovery for both girls and the family will be coping with the loss of their mother and sisters.
Gerardo said he’s only told Irene about the crash and said the surviving teen feels guilty.
“[I’ve told her] it's not your fault. You don't need to beat yourself up over this. You have your little sister. Yes, Jennifer and Camryn are gone. They're angels, automatically, they're so pure and innocent. But Audrey should be your reason [to stay strong],” said Gerardo.
The Aguilar family has set up a memorial fund at Bank of America. The account is under “Jennifer and Camryn Aguilar.”
A memorial page for the Aguilar girls has been set up on Facebook.
