A California grandmother, Margarita Novela Galindo, was tragically killed when a man jumped off an overpass, crashing into the front windshield of her car as she and her husband, Florencio, were on their way to a weekend getaway. The couple had been driving along the 210 Freeway near Sylmar, Calif., at around 7 p.m. on August 9th when they encountered the horrifying scene, according to KABC.
At almost the same time, the Los Angeles Fire Department received reports of a man threatening to end his life by jumping off the Roxford Street overpass. Unfortunately, the man crashed through Galindo’s windshield and landed on top of the mother of three, according to her family. While Florencio was not seriously injured, Margarita was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition where she spent her last weeks in the ICU before succumbing to her injuries.
David Galindo, the grieving son who started a GoFundMe campaign for his mother’s medical expenses and funeral costs, shared an update on the site, writing: “She fought bravely for nearly three weeks, but on August 28th, the doctors told us that she wouldn’t recover. Tragically, my mom passed away, leaving behind me, my brother, my sister, and her seven grandchildren.
The devastated family has been grappling with questions about how their mother could have survived the tragic accident. What if she stopped to get gas? What if she stopped to get water? This probably wouldn’t have happened,” David told KTLA. His sister Stephanie added, “It could’ve just been two seconds off, two inches away, my mom would’ve been fine.
Margarita’s daughter further expressed her sadness and anger over the sudden loss of her mother. She goes out for a trip and then she just never comes back,” she told KTLA. And that’s my anger. That we never said ‘Bye.
The adult children, who always looked to their mother for help with their kids, are now faced with the daunting task of helping their father cope with his wife’s death. Despite the tragedy, Florencio does not harbor any resentment towards the man responsible for taking his wife’s life. As translated by Stephanie, her father said: “He doesn’t know what problems he may have had to commit suicide, but he doesn’t have any resentment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
1-800-273-8255.
SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
