14 DAY TRIAL // 9-year-old Xitclalli “Chilli” Vasquez wrote this tragic letter to the driver responsible for her losing feeling from her chest down, in 2011.
The letter was presented during Jeremy Solis' recent trial, right after he was convicted for the July 9, 2011 accident in which Chilli was injured, ABC News reports.
She was turning eight years old three days after Solis crashed into the car Vasquez was in, leaving her paralyzed. She was headed for the mall to get a haircut and a manicure, with her sister. The incident that happened in Fort Worth, Texas marked her life for good.
“I don’t remember the first several days. I could not talk, so I had to use my thumb to answer yes or no. While I was in UCLA I had very bad moments. They take xrays of me every day. Feed me through by gbutton. I had tubes through my mouth and nose,” she describes in her letter.
Tarrant County Court convicted 21-year-old Solis, following an admission of guilt. Even as he had no criminal record, his blood alcohol level was 0.23, three times the legal limit.
“There were no restitution charges. It was not a trial, rather it was a plea case and he pleaded [guilty]. [...] Solis pleaded guilty to two counts of intoxication assault,” prosecutor Allenna Bangs says.
Solis will be spending 10 years in prison, with the possibility of parole in five. Before sentencing, Chilli plead for the driver to get in touch with her, and asked to be allowed to read him her words, bringing the jury to tears.
“There were times that I would cry and cry…in therapy they showed me how to lift myself and dress myself. But right now it’s still very hard. My mom does a lot for me but I try myself. There are days that I cry cause I can’t do what I used to. Well, I could keep going but my hand is getting tired. I would like you to meet me and my family…there are days that are bad because I have a hard time getting around,” she wrote.