'We can't be stopped because of this,' says young immigrant couple hit in devastating downtown crash
CBC
On the inside of Carlos Bastarrachea's right forearm is a tattoo of an airplane circling a globe with the date Dec. 6, 2020, the date when he and his wife Emilia Ballester arrived to start their new life in Toronto. She has the same one, meant to look like a passport stamp.
"We were fortunate and brave enough to just get out of Mexico and try something different, you know, pursue a dream," Bastarrachea said.
Just a year and a half into their new life in Canada, the 32-year-old is now facing a challenge they never dreamed of: learning to live his life without a left leg.
Bastarrachea was one of two people struck by an alleged impaired driver in downtown Toronto on Canada Day. The other man who was hit died, and six others were injured. While Bastarrachea survived, his leg was so badly injured it had to be amputated.
As Bastarrachea prepares to leave hospital on Friday, the couple is preparing to adapt to their life in Canada in a completely different way.
Bastarrachea and Ballester were downtown on Canada Day, hoping there was a fireworks show near the CN Tower. After realizing there wasn't, they went for dinner at a restaurant near Front Street and University Avenue.
The crash happened as they were walking back to their apartment, northbound on University Avenue near Wellington Street, at around 11:30 p.m.
"We get there and we have the pedestrian red light, so we wait out our turn," Bastarrachea said.
"When the [pedestrian] light hits green, we start crossing. And I just hear this car coming in at full speed."
Bastarrachea said he saw a car hit two other cars, then it started spinning toward them
"It just happened so fast," he said.
"I fall to the ground and immediately I feel this great stinging, burning sensation on my leg as I'm laying down in a plank position."
Bastarrachea was rushed to hospital in an ambulance but not before he was able to catch a glimpse of his leg.
"It was completely tarnished," Bastarrachea said.
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