On July 9, 2011 a devastating drunk driving accident left seven-year-old Xitcalli Vasquez paralyzed from the chest down. Earlier this month Xitcalli, nicknamed “chilli,” described her struggle in her own words. She wrote a heart-felt letter addressed to Jeremy Solis, the drunk driver who is responsible for her life-altering injury. The letter was read out load in a Fort Worth county courtroom after Solis had entered a guilty plea.
Chilli with her letter, WFAA Photo
Her letter describes what she remembers on the day of the accident. She starts off with a few sentences about going to the mall with family and what a great time they all had before the crash. She describes the intensive therapy she has experienced starting from her first days in the ICU. She also invites Solis to get to know her and her family. She talks about the fun they have together as well as the challenges.
Her letter closes with her writing to Solis about how he feels about his actions. She writes, “…there are days that are bad because I have hard time getting around. Look at what I said and the words that I said and tell me how I look and feel. How do you feel today?…Do you remember July 9th?”
Xitcalli’s entire letter is available online. Read it with a box of tissues handy nearby because it is a very poignant and honest look at one little girl’s traumatic experience.
Xitcalli’s brave words affected everyone in the courtroom. Solis, who was only 19-years-old himself at the time of the accident, cried while listening to her story. He was not interviewed by the media but his tears were noticed. Xitcalli’s mother remarked, “I did see him cry several times. Honestly, I do feel that he had some remorse.”
Solis will be serving his sentence for the next 10 years. What will Xitcalli be up to over the next 10 years? She wants to be able to walk again and to become a doctor.
