You know the lessons we’re always reminded of, right? Things like how we should treat everyone fairly, why it’s so important for children to get a good education, and the basics of how to stay safe when using big machines, like cars.
These are lessons we hear often, but they’re always worth repeating. Let’s focus on the last one for a minute—because staying safe behind the wheel is something we can’t ignore.
By now, you’ve probably heard plenty of stories about accidents that happen when someone isn’t paying attention while driving. Some are terrifying and tragic. But I guarantee, you haven’t heard a story quite like this one.
It happened back in 2014, but its message is just as powerful today as it was ten years ago.
It’s about a woman who lost her life in a terrible head-on collision on a highway in the U.S. Just moments before, she had been posting selfies and updating her Facebook page—all while driving.
According to The Independent, the woman’s name was Courtney Sanford, and she was 32 years old. On the morning of Thursday, April 24, 2014, at exactly 8:33 a.m., Courtney posted a status on Facebook that said: “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.”
A minute later, at 8:34 a.m., police were called about a crash.
The authorities reported that Courtney was driving alone when her car crossed over the middle of the highway and crashed into a recycling truck. Her car caught fire and burned.
The police looked into what had happened and found no evidence that she had been drinking or using drugs. They also confirmed she wasn’t speeding. Instead, the cause was something that many people do every day: she was using her phone while driving. High Point Police Department’s Lt. Chris Weisner explained, “This is a warning about what happens when you text and drive.”
He added, “In just seconds, a life was lost simply because she wanted to share with her friends that she was happy. It’s really not worth it.”
Lt. Weisner also said, “As sad as this is, it’s also a harsh reminder for everyone… you have to pay attention when you’re behind the wheel.”
Thankfully, the driver of the recycling truck, 73-year-old John Wallace Thompson, wasn’t hurt in the crash.
This heartbreaking story should be a reminder to us all: driving distracted can only lead to tragedy.
What are your thoughts? Feel free to share them in the comments!
