Update: Dave Gray has been identified as the alert Park Services Officer. E-mail to offer assistance to the victim's family.
Sara Cole, 44, of Blossom Manor, is in stable but critical condition at Valley Medical Center after being struck by a car as she stood in the parking lot at Baggerly Field off Blossom Hill Rd. Sunday afternoon. The impact broke both her thigh bones. Witnesses thought she might die, but she remained conscious and helped others administer first aid.
A terse police report states that Lucio Rodriguez Rodriguez, 27, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. for allegedly fleeing the scene of an injury accident and being under the influence of alcohol. Officers Joseph Romeo and Carlos Torres wrote the report, but many more details are found in the MediaNews article by Connie Skipitares and Shannon Burkey.
Sara Cole has 4 sons, aged 6 to 15, each in sports. She was using her SUV to deliver a bicycle to her son, Patrick, at Blossom Hill Park when the accident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Rodriguez, eastbound on Blossom Hill Rd., reportedly drifted off the road to the right, struck Cole, who may not have seen him coming, and kept driving.
A runner, she may lose her left leg, and is facing months of physical therapy. She is scheduled for more surgery Thursday.
"Even our most experienced officers said it was the worst accident they had seen in a long time," Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Captain David Gravel told MediaNews. Rodriguez was intercepted by alert Park Services Officer Dave Gray at Blossom Hill Rd. and Camden Ave and subsequently arrested. Rodriguez was arraigned Wednesday and is scheduled to enter a plea next Monday.
To contribute to the family's expenses, send a check to the Sara Cole Fund, 1366 W. La Chiquita, Los Gatos, 95032. According to Ralph and Valoree Cramer, friends and neighbors are organizing to help the family with meals and other necessities. For more information, e-mail Kay Enriquez.
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