In a heartbreaking display of love and sacrifice, a Denver father, Alonso Garcia, pushed his 2-year-old daughter out of harm’s way moments before being struck by a car. While his quick thinking saved Lizbeth’s life, Garcia himself succumbed to his injuries just days later.
“My brother, he didn’t have a father,” said Karla Alanis, Garcia’s sister, as reported by Denver 7. “So, when he had his daughter, he promised her that he was always going to be there for her and be a better dad.”
Garcia’s family describes Lizbeth as the light of his life, and they are adamant that she wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her father’s heroic act. The tragedy unfolded on December 7th, as Garcia was taking Lizbeth for a walk in their Montbello neighborhood. While crossing the street at 51st and Scranton, a car swerved towards them. In a split second, Garcia pushed the stroller out of the way, taking the brunt of the impact himself.
He was rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a broken elbow, a torn ACL, and a fractured ankle. Despite the pain, his immediate concern was for his daughter’s well-being. “He was just crying and crying asking where Liz was,” Alanis recalled. “Is she okay? Does she have any injuries? Where is she?”
Although initial treatment seemed promising, and Garcia was even released from the hospital the following day, the family’s joy was short-lived. Tragically, he was found unresponsive a day and a half later. Alanis’ frantic attempts at CPR proved futile.
“I kept asking him like, ‘Please wake up. Please wake up. Please wake up.’ And just no response,” Alanis said through tears.
The Denver Police Department confirmed that the driver involved in the accident received a citation for careless driving and had no insurance.
Garcia’s family has started a GoFundMe online fundraiser to help with the cost of his funeral.
