Jacqueline Saburido: A Life Changed by a Drunk Driver in 1999

In 1999, a young woman named Jacqueline Saburido aka Jacqui, faced a life-altering moment that would not only change her future but also touch the lives of millions around the world. At just 20 years old, she was involved in a horrific car accident caused by a drunk driver. The crash left her trapped in a burning car, suffering burns over more than 60% of her body. Against all odds, she survived, but the injuries she endured were devastating—she lost her fingers, ears, nose, lips, and most of her vision. What followed was a journey of over 120 surgeries, incredible strength, and a mission to warn others about the dangers of drunk driving. This is her story, brought to you by Phacts, where we dig deep into the facts that shape lives.

A Bright Beginning in Venezuela

Jacqueline Saburido was born on December 20, 1978, in Caracas, Venezuela. She grew up as an only child in a close-knit family. Her parents, Rosalia and Amadeo Saburido, divorced when she was young, and she lived with her father. Jacqueline—or Jacqui, as many called her—was a bright and ambitious girl. She studied industrial engineering in college, dreaming of one day taking over her father’s air conditioning business. Life seemed full of promise for her.

In August 1999, Jacqui decided to take a break from her studies. She wanted to improve her English, so she moved to Austin, Texas, for a few months. It was a big step—leaving her home country to chase a new skill in a new place. She had only been in the United States for about a month when everything changed.

The Night That Changed Everything

On September 19, 1999, Jacqui went to a birthday party near Lake Travis, just outside Austin. It was a fun night with friends, filled with laughter and celebration. Around 4 a.m., she and four others decided it was time to head home. Her friend Natalia Bennett was driving, and Jacqui sat in the front passenger seat. In the back were Laura Guerrero and two other passengers. They were in a 1990 Oldsmobile, cruising along RM 2222, a winding road in the Texas Hill Country.

At the same time, 18-year-old Reggie Stephey was driving home in his 1996 GMC Yukon SUV. Reggie had been drinking beer with friends that night. He was less than a mile from his house when he lost control. His SUV drifted across the center line and smashed head-on into the car carrying Jacqui and her friends. The impact was brutal.

Trapped in Flames

The crash was just the beginning of the nightmare. The Oldsmobile burst into flames almost instantly. Natalia Bennett and Laura Guerrero died on impact. The two passengers in the back were pulled out by passersby, but Jacqui was stuck in the front seat. The fire raged around her, and she couldn’t escape. For nearly a minute—45 seconds that must have felt like forever—she was trapped as the flames consumed the car.

Paramedics arrived quickly, but the fire was fierce. They tried to put it out and free Jacqui, but it reignited before they could get to her. They didn’t have the right tools to cut her out fast enough. Finally, a fire truck arrived and extinguished the blaze. Jacqui was still alive, but barely. She was airlifted to a burn unit in Galveston, Texas, covered in second- and third-degree burns over 60% of her body. Doctors didn’t think she would make it through the night.

A Fight for Survival

Against all expectations, Jacqui survived that first night. But her injuries were beyond severe. The fire had taken her fingers, ears, nose, lips, and left eyelid. She lost most of her vision and all her hair. Her body was scarred and broken in ways that seemed impossible to overcome. Yet, Jacqui’s will to live was stronger than anyone could have imagined.

Her medical journey began with emergency care to stabilize her. Burns that deep don’t just damage the skin—they destroy tissue, muscles, and nerves. She needed constant attention to fight infections and keep her alive. Over the next few years, Jacqui would go through more than 120 surgeries. These included skin grafts to rebuild parts of her face and body, and even cornea transplants to try to restore some sight in her left eye. Her thumb was reconstructed from remaining bone so she could grip things, but her hands would never be the same.

The Cost of Recovery

The medical bills piled up fast. Jacqui had no health insurance—she was a student from another country, new to the U.S. The treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays cost over $5 million. Her father, Amadeo, stayed by her side, becoming her full-time caretaker. Friends, family, and even strangers rallied to help, but the financial burden was enormous. Still, Jacqui didn’t give up. She faced each surgery with determination, even as the pain and challenges grew.

Reggie Stephey’s Consequences

The driver who caused this tragedy, Reggie Stephey, was an 18-year-old high school student from Austin. After the crash, he called 911, shaken but unharmed. Tests showed he had been drinking, and he was arrested. In 2001, Reggie was convicted of two counts of intoxication manslaughter for the deaths of Natalia and Laura. He was sentenced to seven years in prison—a punishment many felt was too light for the lives he destroyed. He served his full sentence and was released in June 2008.

Years later, Jacqui spoke about Reggie with surprising grace. “I don’t hate him,” she said in an interview. “I don’t feel bad because he’s out. He can reconstruct his life again.” Her forgiveness showed a strength that went beyond her physical survival.

Becoming a Voice Against Drunk Driving

As Jacqui recovered, she made a choice that would define her legacy. She decided to share her story to stop others from making the same mistake Reggie did. She teamed up with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for their “Faces of Drunk Driving” campaign. They used photos of her—before the crash, when she was a smiling, beautiful young woman, and after, with her scarred face—to show the real consequences of drunk driving.

In one powerful ad, Jacqui held up a picture of herself from before 1999. “This is me,” she said, then lowered it to reveal her face. “This is me after being hit by a drunk driver.” The message hit hard. She didn’t shy away from the truth, saying, “Even if it means sitting here with no ears, no nose, no eyebrows, no hair, I’ll do this a thousand times if it helps someone make a wise decision.”

Reaching the World

Jacqui’s story spread far beyond Texas. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show twice—first in 2003 to share her experience, and again in 2009 when Oprah named her one of her most memorable guests. Oprah called Jacqui “the one person who defined inner beauty” and said she showed what it truly means to survive. Her story aired on Australia’s 60 Minutes, a Discovery Health documentary, and countless other platforms. TxDOT estimated that by the time of her death, over one billion people worldwide had heard her message.

She spoke at schools, events, and summits, always with the same goal: to save lives. People who met her—like Janet Lea from the campaign team—called her brave, funny, and inspiring. Even Reggie joined her efforts, filming public service announcements from prison to warn others.

A New Battle: Cancer

In her later years, Jacqui faced another fight. She moved from Venezuela to Guatemala City, seeking better medical care. There, she was diagnosed with cancer. She kept pushing forward, undergoing facial reconstruction surgeries in Miami to rebuild her eyelids, lips, and nose with skin grafts. But the cancer grew stronger. On April 20, 2019, Jacqui passed away at age 40. Her family brought her body back to Caracas to be buried next to her mother, Rosalia, who had died of cancer in 2006.

A Lasting Legacy

Jacqui’s life was cut short, but her impact lives on. Her story isn’t just about a drunk driver in 1999—it’s about courage, forgiveness, and the power of one person to change the world. She turned her pain into a purpose, reaching billions with a simple truth: drinking and driving can destroy lives. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission praised her, saying, “Jacqui did not let the tragic circumstances of her accident diminish her. We are eternally grateful for her bravery.”

The Numbers Behind Drunk Driving

Drunk driving remains a serious problem. In the U.S., it’s dropped by about a third in the last 30 years, thanks to people like Jacqui. But every year, thousands still die or get hurt because someone chose to drive after drinking. Jacqui’s story reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person—a life changed or lost forever.

What Jacqui Taught Us

Jacqui once said, “If a person stumbles, he must pick himself up and keep going. I believe this is very important; if not, life would not have much sense.” She lived that belief every day. She didn’t let her injuries define her—she defined them, using them to help others. Her forgiveness of Reggie, her willingness to show her scars, and her humor in the face of hardship are lessons we can all learn from.

Join the Fight with Phacts

Jacqui Saburido’s story is a wake-up call. At Phacts, we’re committed to sharing facts that matter—stories like hers that can save lives. You can help. Next time you’re out, plan ahead—take a cab, use a ride-share, or call a friend. Share Jacqui’s story with someone you know. Visit phactsblog.com for more real stories and tips to stay safe. Together, we can keep her mission alive and make sure no one else suffers like she did. Let’s honor Jacqui by making smart choices—because every life counts.

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