Owners of vehicles that were damaged when crashed into by a car driven by a state senator are still seeking restitution that was promised.
According to KRQE, state Sen. Jacob Candelaria crashed into three cars parked outside the home of Felipe Tapia after experiencing what Candelaria called a “medical episode.”
Candelaria said he was on his way home and the last thing he remembers was waking up upside down in his Chevy Equinox near Mountain and Rio Grande. Candelaria said he was evaluated by police and paramedics. “There was absolutely no involvement of drugs or alcohol, nor was there any reasonable suspicion on the part of the officers,” Candelaria said.
Tapia told KRQE the senator promised to compensate owners of the damaged cars “100 percent” but has yet to make good on that agreement.
“After the accident, when I talked to Jacob, Mr. Candelaria, he told me that he’s not going to leave any of us hanging without a vehicle,” Tapia said. “He said we’ll be fully compensated a hundred percent. Shaking my hands."
Tapia said he has attempted to contact Candelaria but hasn’t been able to reach him. In the meantime, he’s without a car. “You can’t just do that to people and walk off and say sorry and say you’re going to be compensated 100 percent,” Tapia said.
When reached by KRQE, Candelaria said he has made a claim on his insurance and accepted liability. He also has an appointment with his doctor to explore his medical condition.
“From what we can tell, this accident is a truly freak traumatic accident in which I am as much of a victim as these individuals,” Candelaria told KRQE. “I did have a seizure condition when I was a child… I now have an appointment with my primary care provider for a follow-up next week to start seeing if there is an explanation."
