Juan "Jovany" "Big Dog" Cabrera
Burial Details
Obituaries
Vail Daily page A4 - July 5, 2000
LOCAL MAN, 20, DIES IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
A popular graduate of Battle Mountain High School died early Tuesday morning in an accident on Piney Road, north of Vail.
According to State Patrol reports, Jovany Cabrera, 20, of Edwards and two passengers were driving south along Piney Road around 4 a.m. when the fatal accident occurred.
According to reports, Cabrera, who was driving a 1997 Ford truck, apparently failed to negotiate a sharp left-hand curve. The truck went off the right side of the road and down an embankment. The truck overturned two and a half times and came to a rest on its top, after falling 137 feet.
Cabrera was pronounced dead at the scene from massive head and internal injuries. Linsey Cook, 18, of Lafayette was a passenger in the truck and was transported to Denver Health for treatment of a facial fracture, according to State Patrol reports. The second passenger, Patrick Christie, 20, of Edwards was treated and released at Vail Valley medical Center for minor scrapes and bruises.
The accident is still under investigation.
Cabrera played football and wrestled for Battle Mountain High School. After graduation he attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. This summer he was living with his family and working.
"He was just a big teddy bear, so jolly and fun to be around," said Andy Fisher, friend and former classmate of Cabrera.
Another friend, Jason Bryoch, said Cabrera was "kind of intimidating at first, but once you knew him, it was a different story. He was a great guy."
Memorial services have not been scheduled yet for Cabrera.
Friends of Cabrera have set up a memorial fund at WestStar Bank in his name. For more information, call Kathi Fisher at (970) 949-1508 or (970) 949-1962.
Vail Daily page A4 - July 6, 2000
BMS GRAD REMEMBERED BY FRIENDS AS 'FUN-LOVING."
Jovany "Big Dog" Cabrera was a fun-loving and caring man, his friends and family say.
Cabrera, 20, a 1998 Battle Mountain High School graduate, died early Tuesday morning in an automobile accident north of Vail.
Cabrera attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley his freshman year, said Riley Cotter, a friend of Cabrera's since eighth grade.
"He was the friendliest guy," Cotter said.
Joel Sandoval, another high school friend, said Cabrera had moved out to California recently and started his own Internet company with a few friends.
"Jovany was always just having fun," Sandoval said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Sandoval said his friend moved back to Avon to help his mom, Voleta, for the summer.
"We were all happy to have him back," Sandoval said.
According to State Patrol reports, Cabrera, and two passengers were driving south along Piney Road around 4 a.m. when the fatal accident occurred.
According to reports, Cabrera, who was driving a 1997 Ford truck, apparently failed to make a sharp, left-hand curve and drove off the right side of the road and down an embankment. The truck overturned two and a half times and came to a rest on its top, after falling 137 feet.
Cabrera was pronounced dead at the scene, having died from massive head and internal injuries. Lindsay Cook, 18, of Lafayette was a passenger in the truck and suffered a facial fracture. She was taken to Denver Health Medical for treatment and is in fair condition. The second passenger, Patrick Christie, 20, of Edwards was treated and released at Vail Valley medical Center for minor scrapes and bruises.
Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the accident.
Sandoval said Christie and Cabrera were best friends. Cook and Christie are roommates at UNC.
Cabrera played football and wrestled for BMHS. He took second place in the 1998 Class 3A state wrestling championships at McNichols Arena in Denver.
BMHS Principal Mark Strakbein remembered Cabrera as an enthusiastic student.
"The thing you remember about him No. 1, regardless of the football, wrestling and his academics, is that he always brought a positive attitude to things," Strakbein said.
Voleta [Violeta] said her son was hard-working and worked at Cordillera in high school.
She described him as "a big guy" who was nicknamed "Big Dog." Despite his size, she had few problems disciplining him, Voleta [Violeta] said.
"He respected me," she said.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. There also has been a memorial fund established at WestStar Bank in Cabrera's name. For information, call Kathi Fisher at 949-1508 or Louann Shapiro at 949-1962.
Vail Daily page A7 - July 7, 2000
BATTLE MOUNTAIN GRADUATE DIES IN ACCIDENT.
Juan Jovany Cabrera was born on Oct. 9, 1979, in Chicago, Ill. and died July 4 near Vail. He was 20.
Cabrera was an all-state wrestler and football player for Battle Mountain High School in Eagle-Vail, where he graduated in 1998.
He helped everyone be happy and he took good care of his mother and his family.
He is survived by his mother, Violeta Cabrera of Avon; his four brothers, Wilson Carvajal of Melrose Park, Ill., Milton Hernandez of Avon; Oscar Hernandez of Avon; and Edson Cabrera of Chicago; his four sisters, Patricia Guttierez of Chicago; Ingrid Agguire of Chicago; Olga Lebron of Chicago; and Sylvia Hernandez of Guatemala; his aunt, Flory; and a cousin, Mario.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Battle Mountain High School gym under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Leadville.
Additional funeral services will be held next week in Chicago.
The family asks that hose attending the funeral service dress casual.
