Lost a good friend Thurs night...

smokehouse

I was Born This Ugly.,
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A very close friend of mine was killed in an auto accident late Thurs night. He was 42, married, and had 2 kids (13 and 16 years old). I've worked along side him since June of 2000...I knew him on a very personal level...and the same with his wife and family. his office is 5' from mine, he and I were a great team.

He was also a firefighter and paramedic since 2000...in his years doing that, he saved many lives, as well as being there when they couldn't be saved.

My point?

Late thurs evening...he was drinking with a neighbor when the two decided to go hotrod around the neighborhood in the neighbor's tricked out 55 pickup. In the mix, the driver managed to hit a parked car at high speed, my friend was ejected and killed instantly. The driver was injured and is now facing a massive series of harsh criminal convictions. He was legally well over the limit.

My friend knew better...he saw first hand what happens when people drink and drive, he dealt with the dead and injured from car accidents for years.

I try to take something good from this, I try to spread words of encouragement or lessons to be learned.

In this case...for the love of God, do not drink and drive, do not get in a vehicle with someone under the influence. Don't make that mistake, don't be foolish. I have to go bury a good man on Fri that made the wrong choice...
 
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Rot

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I'm sorry Smoke man:(

...Be Strong pal...

xROTx
 

norton9478

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If I was in charge, there would be mandatory jail time for anyone convicted of DWI.
 

Taiso

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Very sorry to hear this. Best wishes to all those affected.
 

Gentle Ben

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Wow, I am so sorry for your loss. Way to try and make at least something a little positive out of a terrible situation.
There's nothing really to say that can make it better, but know that you're not alone.
 

GutsDozer

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That's really horrible man. My condolences.
 

smokehouse

I was Born This Ugly.,
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Hope his death was sudden and not with suffering.

By what I understand, it was. I was at his house speaking with his wife Fri morning and she gave me all the details of the accident. The vehicle had no seat belt...thus his not being buckled in. The accident was at 11:50'ish, police was dispatched at 11:53...they woke up his wife about 15 min later. The accident was literally about 500yds from his home. He was already dead when police arrived on scene.

I just cannot say it enough...never drink and drive...not once. I'll admit it, I'm guilty of doing it here and there...and I could have just as easily died as well. I'm suffering with having this anger towards him...he knew so well what happens, he dealt with a few fatal DUI accidents in the past 18 years...he knows.

Such a useless loss of life.
 

sr20det510

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My Condolences.

This is awful because not only did your bud lose his life, but the driver ruined his, and a bunch of other lives.
 

fake

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Uhg, that sucks.

When I was younger, I assumed very few people drove drunk. When my friends and I got to drinking age, I realized it's more of a "everyone does it, man" type of thing, which is pretty disappointing and scary.
 

RAZO

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Sorry to hear about your friend Smoke. I've been in that situation many times in my younger days with friends who think they are Mario Andretti after a few drinks and most of them always refuse to admit their drunk and let someone else drive their car.
 

Ip Man

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sorry to hear this, dude, but shit like this happens. little risks can result in bad life changing events for a person and everyone they know and love.

i wish you and his family all the best.
 

thirdkind

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Sounds like you were very close. My condolences.

I drove drunk a few times in college (even dozed off briefly once, could've easily killed someone) and I feel like an asshole whenever I'm reminded of it. I stay off the roads during peak drunk hours these days. Not worth it.
 

galfordo

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That sucks man, very sorry to hear this, especially for his childrens' sake.

For all our rules and elaborate safety measures, we're all just a sneeze away from disappearing from the earth forever.

Which is why I need to get off my lazy ass and make something of this holiday.
 

BlackaneseNiNjA

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I am really sorry smokehouse. My deepest condolences to his family. It is incredibly sad that he is leaving behind two young ones too.

It is indeed both sad and scary how drunk driving is regarded as a casual norm these days. :(
 
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HeavyMachineGoob

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Sorry for your loss, seems nobody is safe from bad decisions. Even the lion tamer can get mauled by the lion...
 

Mr. Mort

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Man, I’m so sorry for your loss.

I know all too well what you’re going through. I lost my best friend this past March in a freak roller hockey accident of all things. He had his own business, a wife (who is also a good friend of mine), and was a very talented artist. He was like a brother to me, I knew him for 23 years. We spent a lot of time together, were roomates for 3 years, I was the best man at his wedding, etc. I still think about him every day.

Hang in there man, it’s goimg to hurt for a long time. Just do your best to keep it together, and help his wife as much as you can. I can guarantee she is going through hell right now. My condolences.
 

StevenK

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Horrible story. So sorry pal.
 

mr_b

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Deepest condolences. You and his family are in my prayers.
 

Kid Panda

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Man I hate to hear thing like this. Be strong man, help his family through this too.
 

Montatez

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My condolences as well smoke. Be strong, for your family and his. They are going to need it, buddy.
 

100proof

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Wow that sucks. My condolences to you and his family.
 

CaseyTappy

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Terrible thing to happen , my condolences .
I lost my best friend for over 20 years a little over a year ago ago from just drinking ( not driving ) .
 
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