What you see above is probably the most thoroughly destroyed vehicle I have ever seen. It is also such a senseless, needless tragedy. Geoff Hart, 41, his wife Christy, also 41, their biological daughter Rebeka, 12, and two foster daughters aged 6 and 4 perished in the crash which occurred last Sunday while the family was returning home from church.
What I find equally as disturbing as the above photo is what transpired. The Hart's minivan (the mangled wreckage you see above) was traveling northbound on a street called Custer Road. They had the green light at the intersection with Legacy Drive in Plano, TX. A 46 year-old man from Metarie Louisiana who was running late to pick up his daughter from his ex-wife's house ran the red light at this same intersection.
He was driving his rented Pontiac at a very high rate of speed according to witnesses. In fact, the investigation has determined he impacted the van at a speed of 98 miles per hour. He swerved to pass other cars that were stopped at the light, imagine that, and when he did he lost control of the car and struck a fire hydrant. At this point, the driver became largely insignificant to the event because the car was now a great big airborne projectile traveling at an obscene rate of speed. The Pontiac entered the side of the minivan through the van's side windows at window level and came out on the other side. At this point, the Pontiac projectile ricocheted off of a Chevy Silverado (the white truck in the photo) and continued to travel through the air until it landed on the other side of Custer Road. The Hart family most likely never knew what hit them.
The driver of the Pontiac was hospitalized in critical condition after the wreck. However, he has since recovered enough to be charged with 5 counts of manslaughter. For what? Trying to make up a few extra minutes? We all have sped at times, myself included. We have been fortunate enough though to not be involved in something as horrific as this accident. We need to ask ourselves, is gaining a few extra minutes worth the possible consequences? I don't think so. But if you don't believe me, ask the friends and family of Geoff and Christy Hart. Ask the people of Custer Road United Methodist Church where the Hart's were members. They will undoubtedly tell you no.
Think about this the next time you think about speeding or blowing through an intersection. the life you save may be that of an innocent family who does not deserve to die because of your stupidity.
Jim ChittyWriter/Columnist/Blogger
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