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Bus Stop Crash Victim Shares Story With 10News

City Heights Crash Killed Vanessa Shane, Injured David Abilez, Elijah Shane

POSTED: 7:48 pm PDT July 18, 2011
UPDATED: 12:57 am PDT July 19, 2011

A man who survived a horrific crash in City Heights shared his experience with 10News on Monday.

"One memory of the crash is lots of shards of glass raining down on me," said David Abilez.

Abilez said he and his girlfriend Vanessa Shane and her 4-year-old son Elijah were standing near a bus stop on University Avenue in June when a car slammed into them.

Abilez remains in constant physical pain. Among his injuries was a broken leg in three places. A rod was inserted into his knee to support his leg.

But Abilez said his physical pain is nothing compared to the pain in his heart. Though he only dated Vanessa for a few months, he called her his soul mate.

"Not a day goes by that I don't think about her," he said as he choked back tears. "She is the most innocent and caring person in the world."

Surveillance video obtained by 10News shows Vanessa and her son Elijah standing at the City Heights bus stop. Abilez can be seen sitting on the bench nearby.

"She was making smiley faces at me," said Abilez. "The last and final words I heard from my girlfriend were, 'Baby, watch out!'"

Moments later, the video shows a PT cruiser driven by 71-year-old Jean Chizer-Williams slamming into the bus stop. Abilez said it felt like he was back on a high school football field.

"It felt like I was being tackled by 20 people. I've never felt that feeling before," said Abilez.

Abilez was hospitalized in critical condition before he was released two weeks later. Vanessa died at the scene. Elijah broke his arm and glass shards punctured his liver through his backside. Elijah's family said he still suffers from nightmares and is having difficulty coping. Abilez is also having nightmares and his grief is matched only by his anger.

Police said Chizer-Williams, may have suffered a diabetic attack during the crash and was driving on a suspended license. Vanessa's family said the driver was uninsured.

"She shouldn't have been driving, period," said Abilez.

10News has learned police are waiting for a full DMV report and the cause of that suspended license, which will determine what charges Chizer-Williams may face.

"She basically used the vehicle as a deadly weapon," said Abilez. "She's capable of it again. That's why she needs to feel some justice. Justice has not been served."

10News was unable to reach Chizer-Williams for comment.

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