Cortney Spencer, 29, suffered life-altering injuries when he was hit by an accused drunk driver. KOMO PHOTO.

TACOMA, Wash. -- The consequences of driving under the influence have become a sobering reality for a Tacoma family.

Cortney Spencer, 29, suffered life-altering injuries when he was hit by an accused drunk driver at East 38th Street and Pacific Avenue in Tacoma around midnight on January 5th. Spencer was standing behind his disabled car when the driver plowed into him.

"My life was changed in a blink of an eye," said Spencer. "I saw the headlights, I blinked my eyes, looked down and it was all over. Then I woke up in the hospital with no legs."

Spencer was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center where he still remains almost three weeks later. His legs had to be amputated.

The driver told police she had been drinking before the accident.

"We are upset that you can drive drunk and impact somebody's life so traumatically," said Katrina Johnson, Spencer's sister.

While the suspect is scheduled to stand trial for vehicular assault in March, Spencer is learning how to move from his wheelchair to his bed, and use the bathroom as a double amputee. His right arm was also injured making his recovery more challenging.

"You just always have to think positive," said Spencer. "God has a plan for me, and it obviously wasn't His plan for me to leave."

Since the accident, Spencer says he has felt so many emotions including anger, sadness and tremendous loss.

"Instead of being all down and depressed, I just had to turn this into a positive situation to figure out what I can do to become a regular person again," said Spencer.

As the father does just that, he can't help but worry about the moments he'll miss with his children. He and his family have an important message they want all drivers to take to heart.

"Please don't ever drink and drive," said Spencer.

Johnson says call an Uber, call a friend, or call a cab. "One bad decision can change your life, and the course of other people's lives," she adds.

Spencer's entire life has now been put on hold, including a court date for a December drug possession charge in Pierce County. Now he hopes his story will help others make the right decision when it comes to drinking and driving.

"I just hope sooner than later I can be an inspiration down the line to help someone through a similar situation," said Spencer.