Hockey Mom Discharged After Surviving Deadly Snowplow Crash

Brenda Greenwald, 48, was released from the hospital 12 days after the crash that killed a family friend.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Brenda Greenwald, a 48-year-old California mom, was discharged from a Denver hospital on February 10th after 12 days of treatment following a crash involving a snowplow and a van carrying a youth hockey team. Seven people, including four children and three adults, were hospitalized, and one person, 38-year-old Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas, was killed in the crash.

Why it matters

The crash has devastated the youth hockey community, with the Greenwald family and other families involved expressing grief over the loss of Lorenzana, who they say is a hero for his actions that saved others. The incident has also raised concerns about safety on the roads during winter weather conditions.

The details

The van carrying 10 people from the youth Santa Clarita Lady Flyers hockey team was hit on Interstate 70 in Colorado by a snowplow that lost control and drifted across the highway. The van then fell down a long hill, and Lorenzana, the driver, was killed by the impact. Brenda Greenwald suffered a torn aorta, a groin artery, and torn bowels, while her three children and other team members were also injured.

  • On January 29th, the crash occurred on Interstate 70 in Colorado.
  • On February 10th, Brenda Greenwald was discharged from the Denver hospital.

The players

Brenda Greenwald

A 48-year-old California mom who was injured in the crash, suffering a torn aorta, a groin artery, and torn bowels. She was discharged from the hospital on February 10th after 12 days of treatment.

Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas

A 38-year-old man who was the driver of the van carrying the youth hockey team. He was killed in the crash when the snowplow struck the van.

Santa Clarita Lady Flyers

A youth hockey team from California that was traveling to a tournament in Littleton, Colorado when the crash occurred.

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What they’re saying

“No family or child should ever have to go through what with these families and our family have gone through.”

— Greenwald family (PEOPLE)

“He was just an amazing person, an amazing person. Always smiling, laughing, joking.”

— Brenda Greenwald (WBBM-TV)

“He literally took the brunt of everything, and I believe he is the reason that the rest of us are around. So I owe him everything.”

— Brenda Greenwald (WBBM-TV)

What’s next

The local community has rallied around the Greenwald family and other families involved in the accident, with a fundraiser created to support the Lady Flyers' families garnering over $75,000 in donations as of February 12th.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has highlighted the importance of road safety during winter weather conditions, as well as the strength and resilience of the youth hockey community in coming together to support the families affected by this devastating crash.