Monday, May 04, 2015

Phil

Our family is grieving.  My great-nephew, Philip, was killed in a car accident yesterday.

He was exiting I-470, and had just entered the intersection when an SUV slammed into his car. Witnesses had been following the SUV due to its erratic driving, and had called police to report it. We have heard the SUV ran several lights before the one where Philip was. It is obvious the driver was traveling very fast.

The SUV hit Philip's car so hard that the drivers' side was pushed four feet over to the passenger side.

A retired firefighter was able to pull him from the wreckage with the help of others, and they began CPR.  At least someone tried to help, and for that we are thankful.  However, despite their best efforts, Philip was declared dead at the scene.

He was nineteen.


The other driver was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, the last we heard.

News report here.

Update:  It appears Philip was killed by a 32-year-old drunk driver.  "A strong odor of alcohol" was noticed by police officers, as well as a bottle of whiskey.  He had just gotten his license back from it being suspended for drunk driving. The man was driving at an estimated 70-80 mph when he struck Philip.  The driver appeared in court today on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, which carries up to a five-year sentence (from what I can tell on the internet).

Five years.....one life.  It doesn't seem fair, somehow.

Updated news story here.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Grieving with you, Chris! I am so very sorry for your loss and will be praying for comfort during this very difficult time! Hugs friend!

Susanne said...

Oh Chris I am so incredibly sorry for your family's loss! I am crying for you all. May God uphold you and carry you through this time!

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Scrolled down to read the first part of the "Fly the Coop" post. I'm so sorry. :(