one looong day

[Banjo]

On the heels of our friend Tony, this morning I got word of another tragic event.
We host a small group at our house on Monday nights. Church related, we do studies, service projects and the like. We were all to meet at the food pantry this morning to do a cooking demo and help out with distribution. When we got there we were greeted by another group member with the news that our newest friends, John and Linda Cerio, who had just started with us, had been in a car accident the night before, and the husband, John had been killed. So after the food pantry , we all carpooled up to Rochester (About 2 hours away) where his wife had been airlifted and is in the trauma unit.
We spent the afternoon talking, praying , and just being there.
Story goes, They were 3 miles north of Watkins Glen around dusk, when a deer jumped out in front of their car. It clipped the top of the windshield, cracking it, and disappeared into the woods. Joe, being a responsible guy, stopped the car and called 911 to report the indecent. they were instructed to wait there, in the car, till the police arrived. that they did. they got back in the car, buckled up, and sat with the 4-ways on to wait for help.
That's when they got plowed in the rear by a drunk driver.
The next thing Linda remembers is being preyed out of the car by the paramedics and loaded on the backboard.
Mary has 4 broken ribs, a concussion, and bleeding in the brain (Mercifully very mild). she's hurting in every way possible. It's gonna be a long road. I'm just thankful we've been put in a place where we can help.
Sorry to be a downer, but it's what I did on my day off..hehe
and if, in the future, any of you ever decide to drive drunk, you can give Johns grandson and Linda all your lame excuses for being that stupid. Sorry to be blunt, but I'm a touch angry right now.

 

[drooartz]

Very sorry to hear it, Banjo. Seriously bad stuff. My deepest condolences.

 

[Banjo]

Ahh.. I see names are released so I've modified my post.

 

[AngliaGT]

Ben,

You're a Greater man than I'll ever be.
We have a lot of problems (a lot drug-related),
so I hate to hear that a good person has died
for no good reason.

- Doug

 

[aerog]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: there is no reasonable excuse in the world for anyone to consciously go out and drink and drive. None. Seems like this kind of thing happens more than it should too: police and emergency workers get run into by drunks more often than they should, I guess for some reason they steer toward the lights when they're inebriated.

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's another startling reminder of how short life can be, sadly.

 

[aeronca65t]

Very sorry to hear this. I think all of us detest the arrogance of folks who think it's "OK" to drive while impaired.
It makes me angry just thinking about it.

My younger daughter and son-in-law are in Watkins Glen right now. They're on a wine tour with some friends from Ireland, and they've hired a limo so there's <span style="text-decoration: underline">no mixing drinking with driving</span>.........this is one of my mantras in life and my kids know it.

Anyway, I'm texting her right now to watch for deer on the way back.

 

[PAUL161]

I have no sympathy for drunk drivers. Their an accident waiting to happen and I feel that anyone in this condition that causes the death of another, should be treated as if they used a gun. It should be treated as capital murder. But of course the lawyers and do gooders will argue that point. Unless the death is one of theirs! PJ

 

[Banjo]

Thanks guys. Glad to know I'm not in the minority on how I feel about Drunk driving (And I'll tell ya, texting while driving is just as dangerous!!)
Nial, Tons of limos and busses running around the fingerlakes starting about this time of year, and running through the summer and fall. It's the only way to do a wine tour. there are so many winiries to visit here, and its just more of a treat to get in the back of a fancy vehicle, and let someone who knows the route cart all of you around like celebrities.It's not for me. I don't drink that much even if I can. but I can defiantly see the appeal. The drunk who took my friends life is a 33 year old Elmira resident. Local. Treated at the scene for minor injuries (Of course), which is less than he'd have if I ever got hold of him!
Will I forgive? Probably, eventually. I'd like to know how he's feeling right now. I pray that he would use what he's done to prevent others from making the same mistake.At least there would be a positive in there.
I know of at least on other drunk, that had been in prison for manslaughter (Killed a girl while driving drunk) who didn't learn. He rear ended me(hard!)in Ithaca several years ago. did not have a license, was tailgating.... I was on a test drive in a customers minivan. I stopped for a light, he thought I was going to blow the yellow. He sped up.
Well. today's another day. I have breath, health, friends/ family, a job, the weather's nice, I had a good breakfast. I could go on, but you get the point. Thank you Lord.

 

[Sherlock]

So sorry to hear this Ben, as I've been reminded of so much this year (with several friends) that life is short, we never know... It's been a strange year for me, my thoughts and prayers are with Linda and the rest of her family...

 

[KSIS]

Sorry to hear this Ben. I am alway cautious when driving around the lakes for the deer and the drunks. Please send my prayers!

 

[Banjo]

Update to the looong day. It'll be a looong week! Anyway, Linda is home, in considerable pain with the ribs and everything else. Calling hours tomorrow, funeral Wednesday. I've been asked to be a pallbearer (Had to go borrow a suit).
I also feel it necessary after my big snit about drunk drivers to give correct information. I found out while visiting Linda last night that the man that hit them was not drunk. He was given a breath-test at the scene, and passed. Alcohol was not the cause. What was may never be known. I suspect a distraction of some sort, whether it be electronic or not. (This sounding tragically familiar yet?)
The only positive so far is the overwhelming reaction from our church family. offers of food, help, prayers and genuine compassion and concern. people who had just met these folks, and many who never did, all coming together to make sure Linda knows she's not alone.
It's home.

 

[Brosky]

I hate reading these types of threads. Why do good, innocent people have to die and be hurt when there are so many a$$holes that should go way before them?

 

[DrEntropy]

I biythe my tongthhh....

 

[Guest]

Sorry to hear it Ben, glad to know folks are stepping up. After all, that's what it's all about, but you already know that. Well done good and faithful. Tell her folks down here are praying for her too.

 

[DART]

Sad news, Ben. Hope her recovery is quick. BTW, has there been a post about the fate of the kid who forced Tony off the road?