This very kind, compassionate woman sought us out because she wanted to make sure that we knew some things about the accident that she felt were important and would possibly bring us some small measure of comfort in the midst of the turmoil we were experiencing. She told (actually she told my wife, who passed the information on to me) that she indeed had witnessed the accident. Her account of what she had seen and done that night did bring us some relief, since she gave us details that no one else had yet given us. There were things we hadn't thought to ask the police that night, because we were in such shock, and they might not have told us anyway, since the investigation was still going on.
She saw the cars collide when a speeding car ran through the red light without trying to stop and struck broadside the car in which Curtis and his friends were riding. She thought it looked to her like the speeding car must have been going at least 70-80 miles per hour when the collision occurred. She ran to our neighbor's car to see if anyone needed to help. She immediately saw that the parents in the front seat were obviously shaken and injured, but were alive. She then looked into the backseat where the kids were riding. She checked on the two boys (Curtis and his friend), but quickly saw that they were already gone. She then turned her attention to the girl and found a faint pulse. She called 911. She said the first responders were on the scene in a matter of minutes. The parents and their daughter were all transported to local hospitals for treatment, where Curtis's friend was later pronounced dead. The boys' bodies were awaiting pickup by the coroner's office. This was the first time we knew for sure that Curtis had never been transported to the hospital at all. That was just a charade by the police department that we had had to endure. The nurse also told us for the first time that Curtis's body was in a pristine state and was not deformed in any way. He looked like he had just fallen asleep. We had been concerned about this. Perhaps if we had known this sooner we would have pressed harder to see his body at the coroner's office, but we were fearful to see him in a mangled condition, so we had to wait several days after the accident to see our son. She told us that, in her experience dealing with victims of such violent collisions, Curtis had probably died instantly. The violent nature of such an impact causes such trauma to the body that he probably never realized what hit him, and so would have have felt no pain. She also stated that, although she couldn't know for sure, since she didn't remember hearing the sound of screeching tires she was confident that Curtis and his friends could not have seen what was about to happen, so they felt no fear just before the impact.
Another man came to us during this time (I can't remember exactly when) and told us he also witnessed the accident. He, too, first ran to our neighbor's car to see if anyone needed help. He also called 911. He then ran over to the car of the driver who had caused the accident and saw he was also injured, but did not seem to need immediate attention. He told the man to stay where he was and not try to go anywhere. He told us he was afraid the man would try to flee the scene. He could already hear sirens in the distance, so he knew help was on the way. He stayed by the man's car to make sure he stayed put until the police came. Both of these citizens gave their statements to the police. We were so appreciative to both of them (and others, as well) who tried to help our son that night. We were so grateful for this information, although, of course, it was very difficult to hear. At least we now knew that, apparently, our son had not felt fear nor experienced severe pain in the last moments of his life. He left this earth peacefully. That thought did bring us some comfort. This was all a lot of emotional information to deal with, but this day was not yet over. The parents who had been driving the car that night had been treated and were being released from the hospital to come home to the neighborhood.
We would have the chance to talk with them for the first time since the accident. (This was a day of firsts). I wondered what they'd be able to tell us. I wondered if they'd even want to talk to us.
We hoped they'd be up to talking with us.
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