ARLINGTON, Texas — The memorial at Webb Lynn Road and Watson Road in Arlington is a reminder of life and loss. It’s also a reminder of love and hope.
“She’s a force. She’s powerful,” said Yarielis Vazquez.
She is the daughter of Julie Maldonado, the 43-year-old biker who tragically died Friday night after being hit by a drunk driver in Arlington.
Maldonado’s boyfriend, Damien Espinoza, was on the motorcycle right behind her at the time.
“There was a nurse that was parked next to us that rendered CPR. I don’t know who she was, but I would love to know who she was,” said Espinoza.
As the biker community and family members honored Maldonado on Monday, so did the nurse who gave Maldonado a fighting chance. There are no pictures or videos of the intimate moment when the family met Desiré Hughes, but Wednesday, WFAA spoke with her as she returned to the area near the crash site.
“Immediately, my boyfriend was like we’re getting out. We’re helping. So, he blocked off traffic,” said Hughes.
That when Hughes said she jumped into action.
“When I got out the car, I immediately ran over. I assessed all of her injuries. I took off her vest. I was monitoring her heart rate. Then, I didn’t feel a pulse anymore," Hughes said. "I immediately gave CPR."
She said while her boyfriend called police, she gave Maldonado CPR for about four minutes until the ambulance came.
“My hands were shaking. I was so scared, but I’m like I have to do this,” said Hughes.
Those four minutes kept Maldonado alive until the next day, giving the family a chance to say goodbye.
“I think we were just holding onto hope. She did start to give us hope for a second. She started breathing over the machines,” Vazquez said.
“I wish that she was still here and that my efforts were a bit more,” said Hughes. “Knowing that I gave them a little hope, it gives me a little more piece of mind that I did what I was supposed to do.”
Huges, unknowingly, shares a love for Hello Kitty just like Maldonado did.
“It’s kind of nice knowing that I have something in common with her. You can tell that she was really loved,” Hughes said.
Now, she is part of that love as the one who gave hope.
Maldonado’s family has a GoFundMe to help support services for her. They will also have a memorial ride on Sept. 8.