Out of Douglas comes more sad news for the Krentz family.
Sue Krentz, widow of Rob Krentz, murdered by a suspected drug scout on his ranch on March 27, was struck by a car as she was leaving St. Luke’s Catholic Church on 15th Street in Douglas Saturday night. The incident occurred about 6 p.m.
Krentz was seriously injured and airlifted to University Medical Center in Tucson. She was thrown 30 feet and suffered a broken pelvis, head and facial injuries and internal bleeding, according to family friend Gary Thrasher, a Cochise County veterinarian.
She underwent surgery and has had blood transfusions. The latest word is she is conscious and in stable condition, says another friend, Douglas rancher Wendy Glenn. Glenn’s daughter, Kelly, is in touch with the Krentz family, several of whom have gathered at UMC.
Thrasher added that one of those on hand at the UMC emergency room was Dr. Roland Snure, a neighbor and close friend of the Krentz family. Dr. Snure was among the speakers who eulogized Rob Krentz at his funeral service in Douglas.
The driver of the car who struck Krentz has been identified as Ramon Saucedo of Pirtleville. He has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
Also injured in the incident was Shirley Gregory, a former Douglas High School physical-education teacher believed to be in her early 80s. Krentz was helping her across the street at sunset when they were stuck, Saucedo claiming the sun blinded him.
Glenn says Krentz and Gregory were airlifted to UMC in separate helicopters after police cleared the area to allow the choppers to land. Gregory also suffered a broken pelvis and a broken leg.
“Shirley is just a wonderful, beautiful lady, just the sweetest person,” says Glenn.
As for Sue, Glenn says she had been doing better recently; she’s been more able to maintain her composure when speaking of her late husband.
“On Thursday night, she was at the County Fair when they dedicated it to Rob,” says Glenn. “The state land commissioner came down and presented a plaque in memory of Rob, and a lot of people got up and spoke. Sue has been at so many places where Rob has been honored, and she’s done really well.”
It has helped, says Glenn, that Sue has had a lot of friends and family around her. But she has also had the support of strangers and a few national political figures. Sue and four of her friends attended the recent Glenn Beck rally on the Washington Mall.
“They went sightseeing and just had a ball,” says Glenn. “They all flew back together and had front-row seat right in front of Beck. It was awesome, a tremendous experience.”
In the months since her husband’s murder, Sue Krentz has become a reluctant symbol of the ongoing fight to take back our southern border from the people- and drug-smugglers who’ve become such a dominating and dangerous presence.
She knows better than anyone the threat they pose to our sovereignty and our citizens.
Sue and I have talked about this topic on numerous occasions, and we trade frequent e-mails. I have come to know her as a good person with a big heart.
And even though she’s unpolished in the way she expresses herself to the media, with her emotions often on open display, she pushes on anyway.
She does so, without consideration of her flaws, because she believes it’s the right thing to do, and her message needs to be heard.
That’s the definition of courage. We should all have so much.
I also know she never wanted to be a symbol. She only wanted to be a wife, mom, friend and good citizen, able to live freely and without fear on her land.
She doesn’t have that peace now, and hasn’t for a long time, in spite of what the federal government tells us.
But she deserves it, as do all the citizens of our borderlands.
Sue needs us now. Pray for her.
This article appears in Sep 23-29, 2010.
Does anyone know the immigration status of the drunk driver?
Very sorry to hear this. Mrs. Krentz had suffered enough already.
Was the driver an immigrant (either illegal or legal)?
When are people going to stop capitizing on the misfortunes of the Krentz Family??? Enough with the self serving press releases.
What?! As an ambassador for the humans, I apologize for the previous posts and offer my most heartfelt sympathizes for Mrs. Krentz and her family.
“Elm Creek Smith” – the drive who struck the pedestrians is reported to be an American citizen…not that it matters. Surely you’re not going to suggest immigrants – of any status – are more likely to commit hit-and-run accidents?
Does anyone know for certain if the Suspected shooter or shooters in the Krentz Case have ever been arrested…We never hear follow-up reports, just Hysteria…Now-the latest report is that a Pinal County deputy May have made ‘false-claims’ and actually may have ‘self-inflicted’ a gunshot he at first blamed on drug-runners…We ALL Remember the ‘Decapitated/Bodies’ Claims by jan brewer…LIES ! ! !
My prayers are with both ladies .. wishing them a speedy recovery. This is something the individual who is responsible for such a horrible accident will have to carry with him to the end of his days. I find it abhoring that some individuals are so quick to fling disgusting comments regarding immigration and immigrant status out there! Where is your intellect? But most importantly, you human decency with regards to what is really important – the well being of these two ladies!!!
And I find it incredibly disturbing that a few of these posters here would try and shame responsible Americans for wanting to know the immigration status of the driver. Sue Krentz’s husband was killed by an illegal immigrant and if Ramon Saucedo is here illegally, what a darn shame this family should have two horrible tragedies because our country will not control this problem. Prayers go out to the Krentz and Gregory families.