Please Pray for Our friend's daughter

[pnggrad79]

Hey guys,
A friend of mine and my partner's (Valoree) had a tragedy occur late this afternoon. Her 13 year old daughter,Nicole, was getting off a school bus. I don't know if the bus had it's stop sign still up, but nevertheless, she was hit by a speeding car and the impact broke her neck and she is presently unresponsive, coded at least once (died) and they brought her back, but best case scenario-she will be a quadriplegic, worst case-she dies en route to Texas Children's. They couldn't Lifeflight her because the weather is horrible here. Somehow they are hoping they can transport her but they are trying to stabilize her now.

Please pray for her recovery, or for whatever God sees fit to do. Valoree has always been a huge supporter of gay rights and I hate to see this happen to her. It just goes to show us all that we never know when our time is up. Cherish those you love and mend fences with those you don't.
Thanks!

[pnggrad79]

Nicole didn't make it to Texas Children's Hospital. She died. Her spinal cord was severed and her neck was broken. Several internal injuries. Turns out it was a drunk driver that richocheted off the bus and hit her. It was a hit and run. Fortunately, they caught the driver. Please pray for her family and friends. Several of her friends witnessed the accident. They will live with that image for the rest of their lives.

[keltic63]

how terrible. there are just no words for this.


prayers going up

[pnggrad79]

Thanks Keltic, Nicole was hit by a drunk driver with 3 priors for drunk driving and making terroristic threats. He hit her and then ran from the scene ultimately ending up in a person's front yard spinning his wheels. They called police and he was identified by witnesses to the accident.
On the news report this guy scowled at the cameras and shouting threats to them.

It just doesn't seem fair that this guy gets to live, and little Nicole dies at the young age of 13 with so much life left to live, and cut short by this misogynistic bastard who was so cowardly as to not stop and render aid, but driving drunk,too! Where is the justice?

[tdogg]

This is just too tragic for words. I'm praying for Nicole's family (and you too) so that they may find some threads of comfort in this horrific time. I can't even imagine. I'm so sorry to hear of this pgn.

[Petrese]

So sorry to hear of this incredible loss.

[Rick336]

This is such a terrible tragedy. So much pain and loss. You and the girl's family and friends are in my thoughts tonight.

Rick

[pnggrad79]

Here is the link to the news story...

http://www.click2houston.com/video/18297302/

Unbelievable!

Thanks to all of you for your words of comfort. Valoree, Nicole's mom, will be facing some tough decisions today, so keep her in your prayers. No word on when the funeral is going to be.

[antiochian]

It saddens my heart to hear of this tragedy, and it would be terrible at any time, but so close to Christmas... No one should die at such a young age.

I pray for you and the family of that precious girl, as well as for her blessed and peaceful repose.

I pray that justice will be done with regard to the person responsible for this.

[Gennee]

My condolences to you and your friend's family. I asked member of my church to pray for the family. I will do likewise.

Gennee

[tymejumper]

Oh I am so sorry! I sat and cried and have tears in my eyes writting this. I went and hugged my own kids! I worry every day about my kids getting off the bus. It is every parents worse nightmare to have this happen. I just don't understand how they could not have prosecuted this man the first time. I know that they have rights, but what about the victim? That is what has always angered me about our suposed justice system, the fact that they worry more about the criminal that the victim.

Please know that you and yours are in our prayers up here.

[pnggrad79]

Hey there, tyme!
I went home that day and as soon as my 17 yo daughter walked in the door, I hugged her for like 3 minutes. I told her I loved her and kissed her all over her face! She asked me, "OK, Mom, what's up with that?" I then told her the story of Nicole's death and she welled up and said, "That is just not fair." I said that I knew it wasn't fair, but that was life and we needed to just learn to appreciate those in our lives and tell them often that we love them and treasure every precious minute we have with them.

The driver was arraigned today and faces trial on January 27 if he doesn't plea bargain between now and then. I hope this lowlife doesn't get off easy. He has had prior arrests for DWI and he needs to be put away for a very long time. No other 13 yo girl needs to die because this scumball decides to get high or drink and drive. He shouldn't have that freedom. Nicole had no choice in the matter. She lost her life because of his selfish, arrogant decision to take those drugs or drink that alcohol. Moreover, you can't tell me he didn't understand what he was doing because he was high or drunk. BS! He knew as soon as Nicole's lifeless body slid off the hood of his car, because he drove off hoping that he wouldn't get caught. He wasn't man enough to get out of his damn car and at least stay with her until paramedics arrived. No, he knew he was drunk and would be arrested. So he decided to run away.

[Jennifer5]

I'm so sorry to hear this!!!

I cannot begin to imagine the pain her loved ones are going through.

[christa08]

This is so sad

I've been following this thread for the past couple of days and every time I read the posts, I want to cry I can't even imagine how hard it must be to go through something like this. It makes me feel like I need to appreciate my loved ones more.

I am praying for this family

[pnggrad79]

Thanks to all who have shown support for this family. Today, they had a barbeque fundraiser at Valoree's place of employment, and after running out of food four times, they finally started turning people away. Ultimately, they raised $20,000 to help with funeral costs and establishing a fund in Nicole's name for other victims of drunk driving.

My partner told me that Nicole for the past two years has given up her Christmas gifts and told her mother to donate the money to and organization that digs wells in South America to provide clean drinking water to poor communities who don't have it. Now they are digging a well in Nicole's honor, putting her story on it and putting it up in a poor South American community. I thought at 13 years old, Nicole knew what the meaning of Christmas is all about. It is tragic that the world never got to know this kind soul who thought of others rather than herself.

[pnggrad79]

Nicole's funeral was today at 3 pm. It was very teenager-ish. The youth pastor at her church told her friends to come dressed as they would if she were hanging out with them. And they did. The "in" thing was to wear pink tutus and an actual tail-like one you have to attach to the back of your pants or skirt. Several came like that. Her symbol was a rainbow, so they made a big one of bumper sticker type material and put it on her casket. I swear it looked like a big old advertisement for the gay community. I digress... Anyway, several of her anime drawings were put up as well her poems and other drawings,and lots of pictures of her from birth to as late as last week.

The state representative for their district came and told her parents that when they were ready to talk about it, he would be glad to introduce legislation to see that this never happened again. Its a lofty goal, but I don't think it is going to keep drunk drivers off the road, but maybe they can at least make the penalties much stiffer if a death or serious injury results from their negligence.

I don't drink, and I can't imagine anyone getting behind the wheel of a car having had even one or two drinks. Anyone around people who have been drinking need to confiscate their keys and drive them home or send them home in a cab or something. Nicole's death was so needless and preventable. If this guy who had two prior DWI convictions was taken off the streets, she would still be alive.

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by pnggrad79

My partner told me that Nicole for the past two years has given up her Christmas gifts and told her mother to donate the money to and organization that digs wells in South America to provide clean drinking water to poor communities who don't have it. Now they are digging a well in Nicole's honor, putting her story on it and putting it up in a poor South American community. I thought at 13 years old, Nicole knew what the meaning of Christmas is all about. It is tragic that the world never got to know this kind soul who thought of others rather than herself.

heart. broken.

[RainbowL'elly]

it isn't fair and it never is when a child dies because someone else is stupid, but it is wonderful to see people coming together to use this tragedy to help other victims and to try to spread some love the same way it seems this girl did.

[BruceChris]

I pray for her family.

bc