Help for Diego Pineda's Funeral Expenses

To all that loved Diego Pineda, I bring you some terrible and tragic news. Last night around 7:14 pm EST, he was struck by a truck on the way to meet me in our town of Bonita Springs. Diego was running late to meet me, as he usually was, but this time I had a weird feeling that something was wrong. I drove up the road feeling in my gut that I might see Emergency Vehicles. As soon as I approached the intersection I saw a bike and knew it was him. I immediately pulled my car over and ran out to the scene while they were putting Diego's body into the ambulance. I was stopped by two nurses that had been giving him CPR for 8 min before the EMS arrived. The nurses, who were on vacation visiting, had pulled over to assist and then held me in their arms as I was shaking. When they let go I immediately felt a cold wave hit me like a wind out of a southern sale. He had a pulse but I was told had suffered bad head trauma.

 

My parents arrived and we went to the Gulf Coast trauma unit in Ft Meyers which was the best trauma center in ALL of SW Florida. It took hours to get any answers but a Social Worker finally came back and told us that they were working on him and he was still alive. We found hope in this and laughed and talked with Diego’s family and my mom while I tried translating in Spanish. The love and faith is so strong in Diego's family that we can do anything together. ❤️

 

3 hours later the doctors came in and told us that Diego had passed. The time of death was 9:31. After hours more of waiting to see our Diego and saying goodbye, I demanded to speak to a surgeon about the medical details of how he died. The surgeon said by cross-referencing the police report and analyzing the injuries they determined that when the truck hit Diego his neck snapped and his spinal cord was severed before hitting his body on the truck and breaking his ribs which collapsed his lungs. The surgeon said Diego’s heart was pumping strong and his body was fighting as they resuscitated him 9x. Unfortunately, the injuries to Diego’s spine were too severe and he finally let go when they went for the CT scan. According to the surgeon, Diego felt no pain after his neck broke.

 

This is one of the most tragic situations I have had to deal with in my 44 years of life. My heart is breaking for Diego’s family and friends as well as myself and the guilt and sorrow that comes in waves like a mac truck. His family and I are trying to organize everything with lawyers, and funeral and memorial services ASAP but need your help to assist us with whatever donations you can spare the family for the costs of services. We are strong and have so much love around us as Diego was a gem. He was loved by many and admired for his loving and full heart that kept beating even in the end. His talents, his laughter, his genuine spirit, and the love he had for humanity were infectious. I don’t wish this on anyone but know that life is short so hug your loved ones tonight and tell them that you love them as it may be the last words that you say.

 

As we honor Diego in the days and weeks to come please share your pictures and memories on his FB and or to the family or through the GoFund me. Let’s relish in the life of Diego Pineda the man that had a heart of gold. Many Blessings and thank you

 

Love,

Jennifer Colucci, Diego's Fiance

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All funds donated will go to his father, Duvan Pineda to help cover Diego's medical and funeral expenses.