We see okada men with their red hot eyes driving around the city after drinking dry gin, we see drivers smelling of gin every single day without giving it a second thought. What we don't know is as they are going about they may end up bringing sadness and mourning to someone's home. The accident that claimed the life of my son Remi at the age of 6 and the unerasable scar on his father's heart was caused by a drunk driver who never thought about how his drinking and driving could affect the life of others negatively.
It was the eve of December 25, we went out with Remi my only son (after 3 miscarriages and a stillborn) and his father to the park, we left home around afternoon as I complained that I wasn't ready to entertain any family member that year. As we were coming back, his friend called him and invited us to dinner, he looked at the time, we could still have some fun before the day comes to an end so we headed to Tunji his friend's house.
There was a lot to eat and drink but my husband, knowing he's going to be driving everyone he cares about home that night decided he wasn't going to be a part of the drinking. The men had their chit-chat while I helped Tunji's wife in the kitchen when we were done cleaning up it was getting dark so we bade our leave and left their house, that was around 7:00pm.
On our way home, my hubby who has not had a decent night's sleep in two days started dozing off and we had to switch, I drove while he sat in front, knowing his dad wasn't holding on to the steering again, Remi decided to join his dad in front as he complained that he was lonely at the back.
From the rear mirror, I saw a truck coming from our back, there was enough space for him to pass but as the truck was swerving from side to side, I decided to move farther away from the road so it could pass, I kept driving at the same pace. Suddenly the truck left his road and drove towards us, I panicked, left the steering and grabbed at my child as the truck kept heading our way, too late.
All I felt was a numb feeling some hours later and then a feeling that some bones were broken, it was so dark I could barely see anything.
Then I looked to the side and saw Remi bleeding, he had hit his head and was hurt by the time we got help and took him to the hospital, i was told he had already started bleeding internally 3 hours before we got him to the hospital, he fought to live but he couldn't make it.
His father, thank God he was strapped down with belt only had a bruise on his face and a big scar in his heart. He still carries the guilt that if only he had strapped Remi down with his belt, he wouldn't be dead.
My sadness is the heaviest though, after 3 miscarriages I had Remi, we tried again but the result was a stillborn and we've ever since accepted our fate but now? We're left with nothing, where do I start? How do I heal?
The drunk truck driver has a case on his hand but does that bring back my child? Does it heal our wounds? I'm 46 and still trying but then, what chances do I have?
If you drive, don't drink! And if you drink, don't drive, I might not curse the man that took the life of my child but he's cursed, even heaven has cursed him.
Please share this article to remind someone of the dangers of drinking and driving!
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