Accident
Around midnight on March 31, 1970, the Rojas family's station wagon was involved in a serious hit and run auto accident near Key Largo on the Overseas Highway after a fishing trip in the Florida Keys. Rojas' spinal cord was damaged, leaving him partially paralyzed, and his two young daughters, Lourdes and Barbara, were killed. His wife, Maria, and his infant son survived.
The Angels organization, led by team shortstop and Rojas' friend Jim Fregosi, started a fund to help Rojas and his surviving family. The team also held "Minnie Rojas Day" during a spring training exhibition game at Anaheim Stadium in March 1971 and donated the proceeds to the Rojas family. Through intense physical therapy, Rojas eventually regained some use of his upper body, but he would not walk again
Rojas died in Los Angeles, California on March 23, 2002, at the age of 68.
Read more about this topic: Minnie Rojas
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