GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A local family says they believe a miracle helped a man survive a crash in Gwinnett County.
Police cited both drivers involved for aggressive driving.
Leo Pineda is still being treated at Gwinnett Medical Center for a serious head injury.
It was just a few moments of frustration behind the wheel between two drivers that will now impact him for the rest of his life.
"I mean, we could have lost him," said Leo’s wife, Michele Boone-Pineda.
Michele told Channel 2’s Matt Belanger that her husband was a passenger in a pickup truck when it collided with another vehicle and flipped along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Norcross Saturday evening.
"They hit an embankment and the truck rolled over," Boone-Pineda said.
She said doctors told her it's rare for someone to survive the type of injury her husband sustained. He'll recover, but with permanent limited mobility in his neck.
"I remember the truck flipping, and I just remember thinking, 'We are dead,'" said family friend Andy Betenbaugh.
Betenbaugh was driving the pickup Leo was in. He told Belanger the crash happened after a dispute with another driver escalated.
Betenbaugh -- and the other driver -- were both cited for aggressive driving by Norcross police.
"People don't understand at the moment of anger or aggression what can happen," Betenbaugh said.
Pineda's wife told Belanger she wanted to share the story so all drivers can learn from the experience.
"We just need to take deep breaths and realize our actions have consequence," said Boone-Pineda.
It's not clear how long Leo Pineda will be hospitalized. His wife said he recently started a new job, so he doesn't have disability insurance. She's worried about their children and paying the bills.
Betenbaugh said he regrets how the situation unfolded.
"More than anything in the world. More than anything in the world," Betenbaugh said.
Belanger spoke to the other driver involved on the phone.
He told Belanger that he feels badly about what happened. Both drivers disagree about who is at fault.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with recovery costs.
WSBTV
