A Colorado DUI survivor shares a story to warn others about driving while impaired

Life is short.

That’s one woman’s message after a drunk driver nearly took her life on Thanksgiving 11 years ago. Now, this holiday, she wants people to pay attention and urges them to think twice before getting behind the wheel.

When you look at her from the outside, you can see that Megan Millanez is a light in the world.

She shares her joy of life with people at every Broncos home game right outside Empower Field at Mile High Stadium and manages the official VIP tailgate.

“If you ask, ‘Where do you get this energy from?’ “That’s because I love what I do. I love seeing people happy because it makes me happy,” Millanez said.

But as she prepares for Thanksgiving dinner with her family, she can’t help but be grateful for this new opportunity in life.

“It’s been 11 years that I haven’t been able to be here…these are tears of joy,” Millanez said

Millanez holds back tears of joy and remembers the moment her life could have ended 11 years ago today in Arizona.

“A drunk driver hit me while I was trying to get into a car. I was walking,” Millanez said.

She almost died that night. She should prepare to see her daughter Caitlin for the holidays. A decade later, her daughter now visits her with her children on Thanksgiving Day.

“Very grateful and blessed. Getting that call… it’s not the call you want to get on Thanksgiving Day,” Caitlin Tapia said.

Now she doesn’t take the miracle of life lightly.

“I flew through the air. My head went through the windshield. I didn’t wake up right away,” Millanez said. “When I tell people, I think, ‘I’m an angel. This shouldn’t be me.’” I’m here right now, but it’s me.

The recovery process took a few weeks and she had to learn to walk again. However, thanks to a friend, she was able to recover physically quickly. Now she’s sharing her story and hopes others can learn from her experience.

“Don’t drink and drive. It’s not worth it. Get the Uber,” Millanez said.

This Thanksgiving weekend, a Colorado law firm is offering to refund rideshare credits to help keep Coloradans safe on the road.

The Wilhite Law Firm reimburses Uber or Lyft rides for Colorado residents to promote safe and sober travel. Offer valid for a one-way trip home (November 27-30) and can be redeemed once. Submit your receipt for a refund within two weeks of the end of the program. Open to Colorado residents 21 years of age and older with valid ID. For more information, visit www.wilhitelawfirm.com/rideshare-program.