08 January 2024 , 16:18
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A dad has lost his life after 11 days in hospital following a crash on an e-scooter while he was making his way to collect his two-year-old.
The New Yorker lost control of the e-scooter he was riding and was rammed into the pavement on December 19 while heading to his daughter Elizabeth. He was on life support for almost two weeks before he died and after nine days medics had warned his family he would need life-changing surgery.
But even if the operation – where surgeons would have removed half of his skull to release pressure on his brain – had been successful, Derrick Cristobal, 31, would have to live with tubes in him to help him breathe and eat as well as needing round-the-clock care and supervision.
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Derick Cristobal's death has devastated wife Vanessa and daughter Elizabeth (Gofundme)Mr Cristobal, from Elmhurst, Queens, had suffered head injuries in the fall and was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center in a stable condition. He was conscious and awake, according to police, but he continued to worsen over the following days and sadly his condition deteriorated so much while he was in hospital his family had to make an agonising decision.
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His brother Arrizon Cristobal, 26, told the Daily News: "When my sister got to the hospital, he was yawning, sleeping. He didn't remember my sister and he wasn't talking, but you could tell he (didn't) recognise anyone." Elizabeth's mother, Vanessa Balondo, said she noticed how her husband slowly lost consciousness, but she added that even the hospital wasn't sure what happened to her partner.
His brother added that even with the surgery, there was still a chance he would die and if it was successful, he would still not be the person he had been before – so the family "made a decision based on what he would want and what his wife would want".
Mr Cristobal died on December 30, 11 days after the accident and now his family are hoping to find out exactly why his brain injury was so severe without him being in a collision. The family say this information would go some way towards giving them closure.
Vanessa and Derick met in high school in the Philippines and he moved to New York to be with her and Vanessa says she "knows that true love exists", because of the loving partner and father, but she said, sadly, she doesn't know how to start again without her husband.
A fundraising page has been set up for the family of Mr Cristobal (Gofundme)On a fundraising page set up for Derick, which has already hit £7,400, a tribute reads: "For his wife Vanessa and young daughter Elizabeth (2 years old), the loss is immeasurable and we ask for your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly challenging time. Derick has always been a cheerful and loving person. He was known to be a good son, loving brother, a great friend, fun-loving uncle to his nephews, hardworking employee and most of all a supportive husband, and dedicated best father to his 2 year old daughter."
Mr Cristobal was riding a VSett 9+ e-scooter, which he had for two years before he crashed. It is legal to use an e-scooter in New York after the state leglised them and e-bikes in November 2020. The scooters are allowed as long as they have handlebars and a floorboard or seat and they are not allowed to faster than 15mph. They can be ridden in bike lanes or on streets, but are forbidden on sidewalks.