‘Why did it happen to us?': Family in fatal crash near Denver airport speaks
'Our roots run deep here, and it is unfortunate that this had to happen when we were trying to come visit and enjoy a place that we love so much,' Hughes said.
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Life can change in an instant. Ian Hughes was riding to a rental car lot with members of his family visiting from Oregon when the unthinkable happened.
'One quick decision caused a lot of pain for a lot of people. It is tough to wrap your head around. It is tough to figure out why. Why did it happen to us,' Hughes said.
Their bus was slammed by a pickup truck at the intersection of Tower Road and 81st Street. Multiple people were ejected from the bus, including Hughes grandfather, who passed away on the scene.
'I have been thinking a lot about the impact that he had on everyone around him. He was the kind of person who made a place better anywhere he went. He was happy, he was hardworking, he was willing to go above and beyond to help people,' Hughes said.
Hughes was close with his grandfather, going to his house often growing up and working on projects together. Hughes' brother and father were also injured. His brother with a compound fracture in his leg and his dad suffered a skull fracture, vertebrae fracture, and a severe concussion. He is currently at UChealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.
'He is not even quite sure where we are right now. So we are just kind of taking the steps slow with him, trying to keep him as calm as we can trying to relax him,' Hughes said.
What was supposed to be a time to be together as a family now forever changed.
'Just take a moment, take a breath, and think before you do,' Hughes said.
Hughes said he is sharing his story in hopes that drivers think twice before speeding and understand that one wrong move, one split-second decision, could change lives forever.
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