‘You could’ve killed my son’: Suspected drunk driver hits motorcyclist in Puyallup

PUYALLUP, Wash. - Police arrested a 72-year-old suspected drunk driver in Puyallup after they said that the driver hit a motorcyclist leaving him seriously hurt. The 28-year-old has undergone three surgeries at Harborview Medical Center and has recently been moved out of the ICU.

His mom told FOX 13, what makes this even worse is that what happened was 100% preventable.

"It’s really been an emotional roller coaster," LeAnn Rosencrans, the victim’s mom said. Her son, David Ware, was on a motorcycle last Sunday on 39th Avenue Southwest in Puyallup, when that suspected DUI driver turned into his lane and crashed into him, according to police. They added the crash sent David and his motorcycle into the roadway.

David Ware recovers from being hit by a suspected DUI driver in Puyallup at Harborview Medical Center

"I thought he was going to die," Rosencrans said. Ware was taken to a nearby hospital, then later to Harborview Medical Center. "He had lacerations on his kidney and his liver," Rosencrans said. "He had a torn aorta, so he had to have surgery for that, and a rod and pins to repair the fracture." There’s also bruising and blood clots in his lungs.

Ware has also had his lower leg amputated. "They were asking me to consent to amputating his lower leg and ankle because it was so damaged from the accident and my husband and I were so thrilled because he was alive and we were more than happy to give consent for that which is unthinkable," Rosencrans said.

The 28-year-old also has no memory of the crash. His last memory was being in Alaska just one week before this happened. "David remembers getting on a plane in Alaska and then waking up here at the hospital," Rosencrans said. She’s grateful though because she knows this could have been a lot worse.

"He said, ‘you know mom, there’s nothing I can do, this is the way it’s going to be, and I have to rely on my humor," Rosencrans said. Just the other day, Ware started limited physical therapy. "He’s doing remarkable," Rosencrans said.

David Ware recovers from being hit by a suspected DUI driver in Puyallup at Harborview Medical Center

As he heals, Rosencrans is urging the community to be more mindful and diligent and come together and stop friends and family from driving under the influence. She adds, if someone had done that in this case, then her son would not be an amputee at 28 years old.

She also has a message for the suspected driver. "You could’ve killed my son, and I’m grateful you didn’t but shame on you for driving drunk," Rosencrans said. "My heart goes out to any

Our family has dealt with this and thank God David is alive because I know other families are not that lucky."

He’s expected to be at Harborview for another week or two, then he will go to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. He won’t be fitted for a prosthetic limb for 6-9 months, depending on when his leg heals.

The family has a GoFundMe to help with the medical expenses.

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