Mom Severely Injured By Alleged DUI Crash Able To Hold Her Newborn Again
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The struggle continues tonight for a young mother nearly killed in a suspected DUI crash.
We have new developments in her recovery and the case against the driver. CBS13's Tony Lopez continues our look at the true impact from the crash.
So many of our viewers responded and reacted to Thursday night's story, that we wanted to get you answers to these questions: What's taking so long for charges to be filed against the driver? And when will a young mother get to hold her baby again?"
The images of this six-car pile-up are bad enough, but to find out an 8-day-old baby was inside one of these vehicles, and you walk away shaking your head because the baby's mother, Danielle Lerude, was not able to walk away from this crash. In fact, doctors weren't even sure she was going to make it.
"Just tell us that she's gonna live. Just tell us that she's gonna be OK. They just kept saying they didn't know," said Cassie Flynn, Danielle's sister.
Danielle's family did know they had to stay strong as Danielle recovers from the December 6 crash. Some of the physical pain has gone away, but her emotional pain shifted to what she was no longer able to do: hold her baby boy Amai.
"He was the first she'd ask about as soon as she'd wake up every morning was, Where's Amai? How is he? What's going on?" said Cassie.
We were there as the young mother was able to see her baby via Facetime.
"He looks so cute," said Danielle.
"I know, we dressed him up today…his little shoes," said Cassie.
As touching as this moment was, it doesn't compare to a new picture taken Thursday and a moment of a mother-and-son reunion. Danielle was only able to hold Amai for a short time. Her recovery from broken bones and internal bleeding is still fragile, but her spirit just got a whole lot stronger.
As for the crash itself, we wanted to know where the investigation stands.
"I have spoken with investigators as recently as today," said Sgt. Doug Morse, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department. "And DUI does appear to be a factor in this collision."
But investigators tell us because the suspect is still in serious condition getting an arrest warrant may take a little longer.
"As soon as the report is completed and the D.A. has a chance to read it, at that point a determination will be made for charges -- criminal charges in this case," said Morse.
It's a case that has turned lives upside down and tore a baby from the arms of a young mother. But through this tragedy, there is a touch of hope and a reminder to cherish every moment.
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