Jacqui Saburido is dead, the face of tragedies for drivers intoxicated

In 1999, Jacqui Saburido was 20 years old when her life took an unexpected turn on an American highway. A drunk driver He hit the car he was in with several friends. Only she was saved, but he suffered severe burns in more than 60% of your body. He died of cancer after two decades to live under the weight of an indelible tragedy.

The young woman, born in Venezuela and who had gone to Austin to study English, had to go through more than 100 surgeries treat burns to the face and hands. However, his face was completely disfigured: without nose, lips, eyelids nor the scalp. His vision was also affected, but he was able to recover it later. Other treatments have helped her to use her arms in a rudimentary way.

Jacqui's life had changed forever and she became, unwittingly, the face of the countryside against drunk drivers. Courageous, he came out again and again to give a reiterated and clear message during interviews, lectures and interviews.

"Although I have to sit in front of cameras without ears, nose or eyebrowsI will do it a thousand times if it helps someone make a wise decision, "he said three years later, when it was proposed to participate in a campaign of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The young woman moved to Guatemala, where she received the treatment she needed. He died there, according to his cousin José Saburido, with hope to be buried in Venezuelaand his mother, who also died of cancer in 2006.

Condemns the driver

The one who caused the accident that changed Jacqui's life and in which his friends died was Reggie Stephey. For this time, he I was 18 years old and this night I drove in a state of drunkenness.

Stephey was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison. After serving his sentence, he was released in 2008.