On June 19th, 2026, close to midnight, a drunk driver, traveling westbound on HWY-270 in Commerce City, Colorado, crashed into two vehicles, subsequently flying off the highway, and into the residence at 6318 E. 54th Avenue. This residence is my mother's rental home. My father built this home; and left it to her upon his passing in 2012. This residence has served as my mother, Emma's, source of retirement income since his passing. She is 82 years old, disabled, and struggles with 2 forms of arthritis that cause a debilitating back condition that often affects her walking.
Emma's renters, a family of 5, thankfully, are safe and were not seriously or fatally injured. The night of the accident, they were taken to the nearest hospital and treated for minor cuts, and wounds and then released. Since the crash, they have undergone counseling to help with the mental trauma they've faced. We thank God all in the residence were spared.
When the drunk driver crashed his pickup truck into the property, he destroyed the home's primary bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, and finally came to a stop in the residence's living room. The damaged caused by the drunk driver, equates to about 50% of the property. The home is a single family dwelling, with 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. Debris, furniture, food, appliances, drywall, and windows lie everywhere. Large beams were erected, to extract the truck and stabilize the roof and walls. The property has been declared uninhabitable by the city, and water and electricity have been shut off.
Emma has been without her retirement income for three months now. In addition to her loss of income, she is faced with approximately $200,000.00 worth of restoration and rebuild costs. She'll need a clean out crew, (which will cost an additional $15,500.00), a structural engineer to evaluate structural damages; city permits, a contractor, a plumber, an electrician, dry-wallers, painters, floor/carpet layers, roofers, concrete, and other specialists, to restore the structure.
I've reached out to the Commerce City Police Department and The Commerce City Victims' Advocacy Office. The Victim's Advocacy Office, informed me that, unfortunately, they cannot provide assistance for this specific type of situation. From there, I contacted the Adam’s County CVC, (Crime Victim Compensation) office. They too, explained that they could not help my mom, as her particular case does not fall under their guidelines. And from there, I contacted the Adam's County DA's office. The DA’s office has been great. They’ve listened and been very compassionate. They’ve asked me to submit documentation showing the above-mentioned damages and losses. They intend to ask for restitution on Emma’s behalf. The DA's office has also explained, that any monetary restitution must be divided amongst all the victims; the two drivers hit on the highway, the city and county for the damages done to the government highway, the renters, and Emma. Additionally, any restitution awarded, will come in gradual increments, not a lump sum.
Given the above facts, I felt it reasonable to begin a search for funds, prayer and help elsewhere. Hence, the reason for this 'GiveSendGo Fundraiser' in Emma's name.
This has been an incredibly challenging time for my mom, and me. We’ve cycled through deep fear, anger, and moments of feeling completely numb. But we are leaning on each other to get through it. Even on the hardest of days, we are finding the strength to keep moving forward.
Personally, in the midst of this fear and distress, I have recently been asked, "From whence does my strength come?" and I've been challenged. Additionally, my pastor very recently taught on Psalm 16. And again, the question of strength manifested itself, "In whom do I trust?"
In this Psalm, King David's words resonate, that his trust is in God: 1 "Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. 2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You." 5 O LORD, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
Perhaps I’ve been placing trust in myself. Perhaps it's why I’ve been feeling such anxiety. And if I feel anxiety, how ever am I to be a good help to my mom?
I've been wrong… and so I repent and I realign.
Forgive me Lord. I’m not to trust in myself, but in You. So, I pray, as King David prayed, ‘Preserve us, O God, for in You we put our trust. You are our Lord, Our goodness is nothing apart from You. We will bless the Lord who has given us counsel; our heart also instructs us in the night seasons. We will declare there is no place better than the refuge of our Lord.’
I ask the Lord to preserve us. I ask for His counsel, and I ask that He go before us. I ask for His guidance as we walk through this challenging time. I ask Him to direct our path, and I declare that we shall not be moved.
Above all, I ask for your prayers. If you are in a position to help financially or assist with rebuilding the property, any support would be deeply appreciated. May God receive the glory.
My Deepest Thanks,
Monica Celina Franco
