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Witnesses Say Victim Helped Save His Own Life

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Witnesses to a serious crash say the victim who lost both his legs is alive because he saved his own life.

Police arrested Dylan Gottschling on charges of vehicular assault- reckless driving, vehicular assault- DUI and texting while driving for the 4th of July crash in Boulder that trapped Craig Towler between two vehicles.

BOULDER DUI CRASH
(credit: Daily Camera)

Seth Muller stopped to help Towler, 28, but said Towler is the real hero who told him to tie tourniquets around his legs.

"It was just a terrifying situation, his life was on the line but he was so calm and composed about it, he was instructing people on getting more belts on his legs and regulating his breathing and doing everything he needed to get through that," said Muller. "It struck me how brave he was about it, I mean if you look down, if I had looked down at the situation I would have lost it."

Police say Gottschling, 19, was traveling eastbound on East Aurora Avenue in a Subaru WRX about 5:38 p.m. Monday when he collided with the back of a parked Toyota 4 Runner which then struck the back of a parked Toyota Sequoia.

Dylan Gottschling
Dylan Gottschling (credit: Boulder County)

Towler was standing between the two vehicles when the crash occurred and suffered serious injuries to both legs. Both his legs were amputated below the knees.

"He just seems like he's got that grit in him, that he'll find a way, that he'll keep doing what he does," said Muller.

BOULDER DUI CRASH  (1)
Craig Towler (credit: Craig Towler)

Towler has dedicated his life to health, fitness and helping others.

According to the arrest affidavit, Gottschling told investigators that he was looking at his phone to pick some music Monday evening when he crashed. He also told police he had used heroin Friday and took the anti-anxiety drug Xanax Sunday to help him come off the high from heroin.

Additional Resources

A fund has been set up to help victim Craig Towler with his medical expenses. Visit gofundme.com for more information.

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