AURORA, Colo. — On Christmas Eve Brett Shaw’s wife, Sancy, died in a tragic crash on I-70.
His 6-year-old daughter, Charlee, was critically injured.
Troopers say the other driver of the other car was under the influence when she crashed head-on into them. That 62-year-old driver died in the crash, as well.
Shaw is heartbroken and exhausted, but unwavering in fighting for his 6-year-old daughter.
"She's able to breathe on her own, she's starting to have body function," Shaw said. “Even in the midst of this tragic situation, we can see God working miracles."
Shaw says he and Sancy had an incredible relationship that he never took for granted.
"When Sancy and I met, it was love at first sight,” Shaw said. “We have lived 16 wonderful years, where we have been able to be a team and build each other up. Her faith was an inspiration. I have no regrets about the time that we spent together. I can say that with confidence because of the time we invested in each other.”
Shaw says the excellence of the first responders who were there on their Christmas Eve has blown him away, from the officers first on scene to the staff at Children's Hospital Colorado.
"There is no other place in the world we would rather be in this situation," Shaw said.
And as we celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, Brett Shaw has a message for each of us.
"I'm not sitting in a position of judgment,” Shaw said. “But, getting behind the wheel when intoxicated, whether it's a mile or 100 miles, the potential for catastrophic injury is imminent."
While the extent of his daughter's injuries is still unknown, he says prayer is working.
"Last night was extremely hard,” Shaw said. “She displayed signs that we had not seen previously and it scared me to death. And I know over the course of this journey — this is going to take months or years. We just try to have at least two people here with Charlee 24/7. We continually try to reassure her that she is safe, that she is loved and that she is being taken care of. And we just need her to keep fighting,” Shaw said.
A family clinging to faith and the example Sancy leaves behind.
"She lived life,” Shaw said. “Live it to a degree that you're showing love and kindness and respect to your loved ones. Because you just don't know when is going to be that last time…to kiss your bride goodbye."