A family has been torn apart after a dad was left paralysed and his three young daughters killed when a drunk driver slammed into their car at 80mph.
Somchai Lurak, 26, a restaurant manager from Idaho, USA, miraculously survived but is still in the hospital after the horror smash on August 10.
His fiancee, and the girl’s step mum, Emma Weigand, 25, riding in the passenger seat escaped with broken ribs and right arm – but his three daughters Aneena, six, Kya, five and Drayka, three, were killed on impact.
Somchai’s devastated brother had to tell his brother that all three of his daughters were dead as he lay in a hospital bed.
The family are sharing their heartache in a bid to help realise the horrific consequences of drink-driving.
Driving home from a visit to his sister, Amanda Lurak-Moldenhauer, 27, a drunk driver hit their car – despite the family being stopped at a red light – at speeds in excess of 80mph.
The driver has since admitted fault and will be sentenced for three counts of vehicular manslaughter whilst Somchai’s recovery is ongoing.
Somchai’s brother, Anthony Smock, 34, 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. It’s a miracle we still have Somchai and his recovery has been improving. 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. But his road to recovery will be long and due to the amount of medical care he needs, it will be expensive. We’ve been overwhelmed with the support and have already been overwhelmed as family, friends and even strangers have donated more than $50,000 to help with Somchai’s medical care. My brother has said he’s doing the best he can but he’s devastated. As of right now he’s classed as an incomplete quadriplegic – he’s got feeling but no movement. We don’t know whether he’ll ever walk again.’
Anthony, along with his sister Amanda, had to break the news to their sibling that his children has died, after he woke from sedation.
Anthony said, ‘We had to wait till he was less sedated to tell him that his beautiful daughters were dead. They were the sweetest girls. Our family have three pieces of our hearts missing forever now. To everyone everywhere, I’m begging you. Never ever drink and drive – it’s selfish and stupid and can destroy people’s lives and families forever. Just because you may get home safely once or a hundred times doesn’t mean you’re a better driver when you’re drunk than anyone else . Don’t confuse being fortunate or lucky with being uncompromised while drinking drunk. Sooner or later it may cost you or someone else their life. One act of careless indifference for others can impact a stranger’s life and yours forever. And you’re the one who will have to live with it sober.’
The family’s fundraiser is over halfway to its target and can be found on GoFundMe.com