We had a really sad week in Denver. A young woman from my son's high school was crossing the street on her way to school. And a car ran a red light. And hit the girl, leaving her in critical condition with a head injury. And then left the scene.
By that evening, picture of the car were all over the internet. A gray sedan. A woman in her twenties or thirties. White or hispanic. Red hair.
Early the next morning, the woman turned herself in. Thirty-one years old. An East Coast transplant who has lived in Denver for eight months. A fifth grade teacher at a charter school in Aurora (a Denver suburb). Probably hurrying on her way to school.
Today she appeared in court. Dressed in striped yellow and white jail uniform. Tears poured down her face throughout the hearing. She will probably serve jail time. But maybe even worse, for the rest of her life, she will live in the prison of knowing that she critically injured another human being.
And I felt so badly for her. She made a poor choice. Ran a red light, like many of us have been known to do on occasion. And then was probably terrified and made another horrible decision and left the scene of the accident.
It's not that I think she was right to leave. I definitely don't.
And it's not that I have not thought, almost nonstop, about Deondra, the young woman who was hit, and is critical but stable condition in a local hospital. And about her parents, who said goodbye to their beautiful, healthy sixteen-year-old, then got that awful phone call just a few minutes later.
But I still feel badly for Erin, the young woman in jail. For that split second decision.
That has changed her life.
Forever.
14 comments:
I get the shivers just thinking about the whole situation. I used to worry only about our most inexperienced drivers (my 16yo and her friends) but now I realize how all of us can be distracted so easily. Such a tragic event.
This speaks of compassion all around. What a tragic story. It is a cautionary tale, too.
Wow. This one really makes you stop and think. I admire your compassion for all involved. While the driver was wrong, I can understand the fear that must have taken over and caused her to make another really bad decision. Thanks for sharing.
Oh what a terrible situation for all involved! Sometimes things like that paralyze me with fear that something like that could touch my life. I continue to pray that all I love and know will be safe. Thanks for reminding us of how quickly life can change.
Awful for everyone - and you are so right, in a moment our lives can change, and often do. I hope the young lady recovers soon, and fully.
What a tragic event. Strength to all involved.
My heart hurts hearing such a tragic event. Strength to all involved.
This post causes all of us to pause and think when we possibly could have walked in her shoes. I will pray for all of those in the situation....and for the students of the school. xo
Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers. They are much needed and appreciated.
Yes, I've thought about that teacher too, Carol, & you're right, about the young woman & her parents, too, but oh my, the awfulness of the event! I had a friend whose son drove drunk & killed a person. He was never the same after that-was into drugs, trouble, etc. It was a terrible thing, like this. I hope the young woman will be okay soon!
I haven't read a newspaper or watched the news this week so I hadn't heard this story. How tragic for all involved.
What a tragic event, and you show such compassion for all involved. I've had two families in my life affected by life changing accidents in the past few weeks. Recovery is slow for both teens involved, and the ripples from both spread far throughout their communities.
What a tragic story and so sad for all involved. You are so right, we all make decisions that we might not have normally made. Unfortunately, this young teacher will live with her decision forever. Prayers go out to everyone.
Profound that a split second decision can change the trajectory of your life. And a stupid decision. Such a terrible story for both these young women.
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