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Birthday Celebration Raises Money For Chase Crash Victim

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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) -- A birthday party held Wednesday night had all the makings of a great celebration.

There were balloons, cake, and a room full of family and friends. But the guest of honor was noticeably absent.

Click here to watch Lauren Pastrana's report

"This Friday will be four weeks that he's been in the hospital," Yvette Blanco said about her husband Peter.

Pete Blanco spent his 44th birthday at Jackson Memorial Hospital recovering from injuries sustained in a crash last month.

Police said three burglary suspects were running from the cops in Coral Gables when they collided with Blanco.

"I got a call and someone said, 'Are you the wife of Peter A. Blanco.' I said, 'Yeah.' And she said, 'I'm sorry to tell you but your husband has been involved in an accident and he's in surgery'," Yvette Blanco said.

READ: Gables Cops Arrest Trio Of Alleged Burglars After Chase

Blanco's recovery has been a bumpy road since then. His wife described several setbacks, but is encouraged by the fact that he took his first steps recently.

The self-employed father with another baby on the way has been unable to work his IT job, but his loved ones have stepped up in his time of need.

"We feel very loved and very taken care of, and that makes even the bad days a lot easier," Yvette said. "It really takes a village."

On Wednesday, that village took over Giardino's restaurant in Coral Gables, where 20 percent of all sales were donated to Pete Blanco's recovery fund.

Members of the Coral Gables Fire Department also chipped in, donating $250 to the cause.

"Thank you for saving my dad's life," Ryder Blanco said to the rescuers

While his son may have blown out his candles for him, Peter Blanco still had a birthday wish.

"I would think his biggest wish is to be with his family," his wife said.

And in the spirit of the season, Yvette Blanco holds no ill will toward the people responsible for her husband's pain.

"I'm not angry at them," she said. "And it sounds very odd, but I wish they could see what the choices that they make, who they affect."

Kareem Jermaine Brown, 22, Kristopher Wooten, 19, and Devondrea Tavarres Wilcher, 24, all face burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief charges.

If you'd like to donate to Pete Blanco's recovery fund, visit gofundme.com/peteblanco.

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