Help Jack's Legal Defense in Rincón Family Tragedy

First, as I will never stop saying… Thank you. Your love, support, and generosity have carried us through the most devastating time in our lives.

As many of you know, on December 26th, our world changed forever. My husband Jack, my sister Sonia, her husband Willy, their dog Lolo, my brother Carlo, and I, left our Christmas stay Airbnb in Granby for what was supposed to be a fun day of skiing, enjoying nature and snow in Winter Park. But in an instant, everything turned tragic when our car hit ice on US 40, leading to a terrifying accident where we were struck by a semi truck.

Heartbreakingly, Willy died instantly. I suffered a broken jaw and underwent surgery. Carlo broke his spine and pelvis. Jack sustained 14 rib fractures, a broken elbow that required surgery, jaw fractures, and a broken spine. Lolo dislocated his hip and needed surgery. And Sonia, with a severe head injury, after ten days fighting in a coma, joined her husband Willy in their next life on January 4th. Sadly, we have come to learn that they were not the only lives lost in car accidents this winter season due to ice, on the same stretch of US 40.

Just as we were starting to rebuild our lives, making plans to return to work, find some sense of normalcy, we were hit with another nightmare. The District Attorney in Grand County has decided to charge Jack, my incredible husband I just married in September, for this tragic accident. First responders, the police, and our family have all said that Jack's life-saving actions in an impossible situation, of remaining calm and reacting appropriately, made the difference in preventing us all from passing. It seems incredibly unfair and incomprehensible to now be filing charges in an unimaginable situation.

Our entire family is now being forced to relive the most tragic experience of our lives, on top of continuing our battle with grief, our physical recovery, and our permanent emotional alteration. We have no choice but to hire a defense attorney. And, with every other cost we have right now, there are no means to cover one. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will go directly toward Jack’s legal defense, ensuring he has the representation he deserves in the wake of this tragedy. This horrific accident has already taken so much from us. I shouldn’t have to be asking this, but please help us fight to protect Jack so that we can truly just focus on what matters in this all: the loss of our sweet Willy and Sonia.

If you know me, you know that I am one who struggles to ask for help. That said, this experience has taught me that there are some things you cannot get through alone, and leaning on others to get you through these difficult times is essential. Thank you for holding our hand. Thank you for cooking us meals for months, assisting with our ever-growing medical expenses, and simply being there as we navigate our grief. Because of you, we have slowly found the strength to move forward, taking it one day at a time. We just need you one more time. The words to express the gratitude we feel just don’t exist.

With all the Love,

Catalina <3