On Thursday 10th December 2009 at around 7:15pm, a man pulled out across a dual carriageway in his truck, as if crossing to the other side, but stopped in the middle of the road. Another man travelling along the same road on a motorbike attempted to avoid the truck which had suddenly pulled out, but collided with it and was killed almost instantly. The man in the truck has been arrested for dangerous driving (being drunk whilst driving).
The man who died was as good as my father-in-law.
Please don't drink and drive, ever, especially around this time of year where everywhere you go is shoving in your face how much Christmas is about family time.
The funeral was today, four days before Christmas. Over the last week and a half I have been with Faye's family. I've seen how it's effected each and every one of them, including the grandparents, brothers and sisters, etc. Christmas may not happen this year, not in the same way at least, especially when he traditionally rushes out at the last minute to buy a tree, cooks the Christmas dinner, makes individual crackers for everyone.

I want to marry Faye, we have spoken of it for a good while now, it's terrible to think that he won't be there to walk her down the aisle, to see our children. He won't see her first professional art exhibition, see her graduate with a Masters or her brother graduate from college and then university.
My greatest sorrow is that Faye is now fatherless, and that I never asked him if I could marry her, or repay him for everything he has done for me.

All this hurt because someone was irresponsible and stupid. I know that anyone who has been through anything similar will know what the family are going through, and to everyone else, I know how you think it'll never happen to you, I think we all do.

Please don't drink and drive.

Ben

that sucks just before xmas aswell.... sorry to hear that etc

I understand that feeling and I also know what it meant to have my GF with me to help me through it. Faye is lucky to have you but you probably won't realise exactly how much she'll appreciate you just being there for her.

I've never understood what pushes people to drink and drive.

very sorry to hear that Ben. My wife lost her father last year to cancer .. that was difficult enough.

People who drink and drive need to be made to see the devastation they cause to families.

Didge

I feel very sorry for you and, of course, everyone else in the family. It would be an incredibly hard time for everybody who knew him at any time of the year. Christmas just makes it worse.

My heart really does go out to your family.

Very sorry to hear that Ben.

Having lost 3 family members this year, all I can say is be there for Faye. It is a difficult time for all involved, but having a shoulder to cry on and somebody who can just be there and love you, no matter what is something you can't put a price on.

My condolences. I hope 2010 brings a much better year for us all!

Too true

My condolences as well

+1

There's not much more I can add, so I won't. My thoughts are with you.

That is a terrible tragedy. Be there for her.

Ben

Very sorry to hear the news

Thoughts with you and the Family

Really sorry to hear that Ben, our thoughts go out to you and your GF family

That's really terrible Ben. Faye is very fortunate to have someone like you with her at this time. It does also explain your rather cryptic outburst in the FPOTD thread a fefw days ago.

If there's anything we can do to help, do let us know.

+ 1 Couldn't agree with Dave's comments more, and as Heather said...

That's truly awful, my thoughts are with you, Ben. If my recent experiences are anything to go by, this should only bring you both closer.