Lee County family hit by drunk driver urges safe choices this weekend

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The Florida Highway Patrol says as of Friday night, they arrested four impaired drivers in Lee County alone.

For one Lee County family, they say that number hits close to home. In September, Sarah Engracia says she got a phone call she'll never forget.

"He was kind of yelling through the phone, not his usual. So immediately I knew something was wrong," Engracia said.

Her husband and two of her kids were on their way home from a friend's house when they were hit by a drunk driver at the intersection of Michael G. Rippe Highway and U.S. 41 in Fort Myers. She says her son, Marco, was rushed to the hospital and then flown to St. Petersburg.

She tells WINK News he was deemed internally decapitated, but first responders' quick actions saved him.

"Had the spinal cord not been kept intact, then he wouldn't be here," Engracia said.

Eight months later, Marco is able to play with his siblings again. But he has to be careful.

"My injury, I got it again, and I'm gonna need this surgery," Marco said.

Now, this Memorial Day weekend, the Engracia family asks people to consider their family's story before they get behind the wheel.

"You can have fun in so many ways while staying safe," Engracia said.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office says last year, over Memorial Day weekend, they arrested 13 impaired drivers. They ask people to use ride share, designate a sober driver, or stay where they are.

Deputies will be out looking to get impaired drivers off the road this weekend.