Newlyweds Suffer Tragedy On Honeymoon

ROSEVILLE, Calif. (CBS13) – Community members are helping raise money to pay for medical and transportation costs after a freak accident killed a local woman and severely injured her new husband during their honeymoon.

Victor and Crystal Rodriguez had planned their honeymoon in the Bahamas for more than a year, but on the final day of their vacation, tragedy struck when they went parasailing.

Kevin Lindner, a friend of the couple, said the couple's harness snapped while they were more than 200 feet in the air, sending them freefalling into the ocean. Victor was critically injured, but Crystal did not survive.

The two were married at the Valley Springs Presbyterian Church in Roseville just 12 days earlier, friends said.

Sarah Bianchi, another friend of the victims, said Crystal was excited about starting a big family. The news of the shocking accident came as a blow to family and friends, who described her as a great person with an amazing personality.

"I couldn't breathe. I kept saying, it's not fair," Sarah said.

Victor is still hospitalized with multiple broken bones and a punctured lung, and loved ones are trying to raise more than $50,000 to have him transported back home on a medical flight.

"It just seems like nothing else matters right now other than trying to help Victor," Kevin said.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Anyone who wishes to donate money to help bring Victor home and pay for Crystal's funeral can send money to:

R. W. Baird
300 University Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95825

Checks should be payable to R.W. Baird; c/o Rodriguez Family Care Fund.