Inset: Rogelio Vidal in the hospital after getting his hand amputated (GoFundMe). Background: The scene of the DUI crash that left Las Vegas father Rogelio Vidal with a severely mangled hand (KVVU/GoFundMe).
A dedicated Nevada father, en route to his job as a commercial painter, suffered a life-altering injury when a drunk driver caused a crash that led to the amputation of his hand, his family and police report.
Early on the morning of May 15, 54-year-old Rogelio Vidal was struck by a Toyota Scion driven by Aaron Nelson Hall on a ramp linking Interstate 11 with Interstate 15. This incident occurred near the complex “Spaghetti Bowl” interchange in downtown Las Vegas, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Vidal described his experience to the newspaper, saying, “I felt the impact from behind. After the collision, I think I blacked out or something.”
Upon regaining consciousness, Vidal found his truck had overturned, and his hand was severely damaged. He told the Review-Journal about his shock upon seeing the extent of his injuries and has little memory of events until he was in the hospital.
A GoFundMe page set up by Vidal’s daughter reveals, “He was on his way to work when the crash occurred, causing his truck to roll multiple times before landing on the driver’s side. Most of his fingers were lost in the accident, requiring immediate surgery at UMC trauma center.”
Faced with a difficult decision, Vidal’s family determined that amputation was the most viable option. This “devastating experience” has left him uncertain about whether he will ever return to painting in the same way.
“I want to continue to work as a painter, but I know I won’t be able to do it like I used to,” Vidal told the Review-Journal. His daughter describes him in her GoFundMe as a “hardworking man who loves his family and always finds a way to provide, no matter what.”
“He takes pride in his work and enjoys every moment he spends with his loved ones,” the GoFundMe adds.
Hall was arrested and charged with felony DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and reckless driving, along with traffic-related misdemeanors, the Review-Journal reports.
Court records show Hall posted $75,000 bail shortly after his arrest.
“I want the other driver to pay my damages, all the costs and everything that’s happened to me, both psychologically and physically,” Vidal said. “I don’t understand how he has been able to pay for bail and already be out of jail.”
Despite his anger over what happened, Vidal said he is trying to lead with forgiveness.
“I don’t feel anger toward the other guy because only God knows why he does things,” Vidal said. “This is what God had planned.”
Vidal’s son, Rogelio Vidal Jr., told the Review-Journal that watching his father struggle with the amputation has been “devastating” for their family.
“My dad is a good person,” Vidal Jr. said. “He’s hardworking and he’s always cautious. You don’t expect something like this to happen to someone like that.”
Hall has pleaded not guilty.
