By Sheri
Baker-Bruster
December 20,
2001. I was 21 at the time. I was a
full-time college student, worked part time, lived with my parents, and was
planning a wedding for July.
I have two brothers
and an older half-sister and half-brother. My parents - Frank and Debbie - had
just celebrated their 24th anniversary in November. My dad was 51 and was the
wastewater Supervisor for the City of Wellington. He had worked there for
almost 30 years.
I never thought for a
moment that my life could be so drastically changed by someone else’s decision
that I had no control over. We were on our way home about a mile north of
Wellington when a car driving northbound crossed the center line and hit our
car head-on. The crash caused many
traumatic injuries. I had several broken bones which left me in the hospital
for eight weeks and required months of physical and occupational therapy.
My dad fought for 32
hours after the crash, but in the end lost the battle and died from his
injuries. Christmas is supposed to be a
time to spend with your family, not meeting with a funeral director and
planning a funeral. I was not able to attend the funeral because I was in the
hospital and did not fully understand what had happened or that my dad had died
until six weeks after the wreck.
The other driver that
caused the wreck had been drinking at a local bar. At the time of the wreck his BAC was .30 and
he died at the scene when he was ejected from his vehicle. The car he was
driving was torn into three pieces.
I have had numerous
surgeries and will have to have more. I did get married seven months after the
wreck. Chris has been through all of this with me. Chris and I have two
children: Ayden who is 9 and Gates who is 5, and they keep us busy. I talk
about the wreck and my dad with Ayden and Gates. They should be making memories
with my dad instead of me sharing memories of my dad with them.
I would have never
imagined that in a split second my life could be completely changed by a man
who chose to drink and drive. This is something completely preventable.
It has been 14 years
and not a day goes by that I don’t think about my dad and the wreck.
Sheri Baker-Bruster is a volunteer for the Kansas DUI
Impact Center and was the Volunteer of the Year for 2016
Sheri, thanks for being able to share your experience. It's unfortunate that something so careless can affect other people's lives the way it did. We appreciate your dedication in hopes that something this tragic won't continue to happen.
ReplyDeleteSheri, thank you for sharing a very sad life experience that would not have occurred if the driver of another vehicle had not been drinking. We are glad that you are better and hope surgery will help you fully recover. We especially appreciate that you are sharing your story in hopes that readers will take note and not drink and drive.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you lost your father and are still dealing with having surgeries because of this horrible event 14 years ago. And I'm sorry your children didn't get to meet your dad, but it's good that his memories of him continue.
ReplyDelete