Lessons in Loss

It was a sunny Labor Day weekend in Southern California. My Aunt Andrea packed up her red Volkswagen Bug and drove away from her childhood home, waving goodbye to her family as she left. She was headed back to Utah for her sophomore year of college. As she drove down the street, her family watched, unaware that they would never see their sister or daughter again.

Andrea took every precaution for her road trip from California to Utah. Before leaving town, she checked the tire pressure and fluids, a habit her dad had instilled in her before any long drive. Traveling with her boyfriend and his family in a caravan, they stopped in Las Vegas halfway through the journey. After a good night’s rest, they headed toward Utah. They traveled through the desert and a winding canyon of red rock. As they drove, Andrea’s boyfriend passed them, waving. That was the last interaction with Andrea until his parents came upon the wreckage. Andrea’s red VW Bug had rolled off the highway, throwing her boyfriend’s 5-year-old sister into a ditch. As the last car in the caravan reached the hill, they saw the scene on the roadside. The Beetle had rolled into a ravine, tossing its passengers onto the gravel. Miraculously, an off-duty nurse happened upon the scene and administered life saving first aid. The nurse performed a roadside tracheotomy on Andrea. Responders quickly airlifted Andrea to the nearest hospital. Her little passenger received severe cuts and injuries, but she survived, much to everyone’s relief.

It was 1982, and seatbelt laws weren’t in effect. There was no distracted driving education like we have today. No other cars were involved in the accident. Did a gust of wind cause the small car to veer off the highway, or was Andrea listening to her Walkman and fiddling with the cassette? The cause of the accident remains unknown. Andrea’s parents and her sister, (my mother) flew to Las Vegas to be with Andrea. Sadly, after three days in the Intensive Care Unit, Andrea’s parents had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support. The head injuries Andrea sustained in the accident were catastrophic. She had no brain activity at all. Three days shy of her nineteenth birthday, Andrea was laid to rest. To this day, her absence is still deeply felt.

My grandparents are Andrea’s parents. It’s been 43 years since my aunt Andrea died in a car crash. That event changed our family forever. I’ve seen my grandpa cry at family gatherings, still missing his daughter. Her loss still causes intense pain. Andrea’s death taught me that a car accident can affect anyone. It’s scary to see how many drivers get distracted by their phones. I often see drivers looking down at their devices, swerving all over the road. Drivers get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The risks of driving are higher than ever. I don’t want others to go through the same heartache and loss that my family endures.

It’s crucial for drivers to be proactive and remember the important rules they learned in driver education programs. Following traffic laws is only the first step to cutting down on the high number of deaths from car crashes. Automobile crashes are the second leading cause of death. The simplest way to reduce driving-related deaths is to wear your seatbelt! As a driver, it’s essential to make sure all passengers are safely buckled up before you start driving. Never drive faster than the posted speed limit. When road conditions are hazardous, slow down. Rain, snow, or fog can reduce visibility, so reduce your speed to compensate. Maintain adequate stopping distance from the cars in front of you. Watch out for other drivers and road hazards, and stay focused on the road.

I’ve been driving for two years, and my mom taught me to drive with caution and consideration for others. She taught me to drive safely. I learned to watch for hazards, follow road signs, and obey the speed limit. I made a personal promise to never text and drive. Every time I get behind the wheel, I’m reminded of the responsibility I carry. I understand why my parents don’t want me to drive over mountain passes in winter. I know how a car accident can cause lasting grief for the families left behind. If you’ve never felt the deep pain of losing a loved one in a car accident, I urge you to put your phone away. Stay alert and do everything you can to make the roads safer. Buckle up—every life on the road is precious, and we should prevent any loss of life in an avoidable accident.