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For faculty and staff members of UNM’s School of Law, past administrator Peggy Lovato’s family is also their family.
So when the hot-air balloon in which Peggy’s husband Danny was riding hit, burned and crashed after entangling itself in an electric power line Wednesday morning, the school rushed to find a way to help the Lovato family.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident,” said Tamara Williams, communications and marketing manager of the school. “Peggy worked at the law school for over 38 years, and was the law school administrator for over many of those years. Peggy is a beloved colleague, friend, and member of our community.”
Williams said Peggy retired from UNM in 2010.
The law school has set up an emergency account to help Danny’s medical expenses, and now it’s calling on the University community for financial aid, she said.
Williams said the school’s employees set up the account Thursday immediately after word got out about Danny’s accident. Although she said Danny’s medical operations would be expensive, she said the school aims to help as much as it can.
“Danny has seven upcoming surgeries over the next two days for skin grafting and will be in the hospital for months,” she said.
“The type of catastrophic injuries that Danny has suffered will require a lengthy hospital stay, innumerable surgeries, prolonged treatment and rehabilitation therapy, which all will be exorbitantly costly even with insurance coverage.”
Danny, 66, was crew chief of the wrecked hot-air balloon that flew Wednesday as part of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He rode the balloon with pilot Mark Kilgore, 59. About 550 balloons participated in the event.
As Kilgore attempted to land the balloon during a mass ascension, the aircraft hit a power line 40 feet above the ground. The balloon crashed and the two suffered severe burns from the accident and were taken to UNM Hospital.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Kilgore was in “satisfactory” condition at UNMH by Wednesday.
According to a press release from the law school, Danny has “suffered an electrical shock and severe burns on his chest, face and both arms, requiring full amputation of his left arm. He is scheduled for further surgeries. Recently, the Lovato family has suffered additional family tragedies and Danny currently remains in critical condition in the hospital’s intensive care burn unit.”
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Danny’s family declined to comment on the matter.
Williams said the school does not have a monetary goal for donations, and that every dollar from the University community would count. She said there is no deadline for donations, and that people can provide help any time.
And she encourages everybody to donate, Williams said.
“If anyone is moved to contribute, they are encouraged to do so. Peggy is extremely touched by the outpouring of support that she and the family are receiving.”
For those interested in making a donation, head to any US Bank Branch in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho with a donation for the Lovato family emergency relief account.
