PHOENIX — Video footage shows Ernesto Otanez Oveso almost killing Ulysses Betancourt, his wife Gabrielle, and one-year-old son Damian as he ran a red light on October 14. Luckily for the Betancourt family he struck Shannon Vivar’s vehicle first.
The Betancourt family is seen in the now viral video walking in the crosswalk near 53rd Avenue and Indian School Road at around 10 p.m., as Otanez Oveso runs the red light, striking Vivar’s car as she was making a left turn.
Police say Otanez Oveso, age 28, was driving under the influence at the time.
| A GoFundMe page as been established for the Vivar family to help cover the costs of repairing their Chevrolet Cruz. The vehicle sustained serious damage in the crash. If you would like to help, click here. |
“I don’t really think I’m a hero. I kind of think it was meant to happen,” said Vivar at a press conference on Thursday. “I’m kind of glad it happened that way though, because DUI drivers take a lot of lives and so for me being there at the right time it makes me feel good even though I’m in the situation I’m in right now, but I wouldn’t want it to happen any other way.”
Vivar received minor injuries as a result of the crash. Her mother, Shirley, who was also in the car and injured at the time, said the crash turned out to be a blessing.
“It was wrong time at the wrong place, but then the right time at the right place,” Shirley said. “We’re all blessed that we’re all alive.”
Otanez Oveso, who had four warrants out for his arrest at the time of the collision, fled the scene. He found shortly after the collision and was arrested.
Otanez Oveso faces charges for DUI, Aggravated Assault, Leaving the Scene, and Prohibited Possession of a Gun.
