Back on December 4, 2008, I got a phone call from a coworker of mine who was in tears trying to relay a message. I asked her to settle down, take a breath and try again. She explained that a woman was driving home from work on her way to a doctors appointment. Her car broke down a little ways down the road from her work. She got out of the car to check out the problem. Calling her job, she asked for someone to come down and give her a jump as she had recognized that it was the battery that had died. Going to the trunk, she got her jumper cables out and after closing the trunk, a drunk driver plowed into her, pinning her between the two cars.
*fade to black*
Waking up a few weeks later, she was made aware of the accident that brought her to the hospital as well as the reason why when she tried to wiggle her toes, she couldn't. She couldn't - because she didn't have them any longer. She lost both legs from the knees down.
*fast forward to April 1, 2009*
Being wheeled into the courtroom, Andrea finally came face to face with the man who took away her legs and her freedom. I was there. I went to the trial today. I sat outside the courtroom for nearly 2 hours. Waiting for the words that I had waited for over 2 months to hear. The man who once pled not guilty after blowing nearly twice the legal limit in a breathalyzer test, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and $500,000 in restitution. There was also a set amount of time on probation post the jail sentence, however, I cannot remember the exact amount, therefore, I will not write it until I get the facts. Andrea, through the tears, showed immense relief. Finally a light at the end of this excruciatingly long court process. Though the end results weren't of ANYONE'S satisfaction, we all can breathe a little easier knowing that the man who hurt our friend is behind bars and out of harms way.
Knowing that this was the first time since October 30th that I saw her in person, she looked amazing. Under the circumstances of extreme physical, emotional, mental and spiritual turmoil, she looked very good. I love ya, Andrea! Keep it up! Can't wait to see you back at work with us! To a hero, a coworker, a GREAT friend...Andrea. |
Loading...
