In a small Northern Indiana town this past week, we lost two lives way too soon.
As a disclaimer, this article isn’t to target any faults in either accident nor am I pretending to know them well. I know what I have read, heard, and seen over my high school years, and I also know that both Henry and Logan are so loved and dearly missed.
As a background,
Logan Nelson, a 21-year-old student at Indiana Wesleyan University, and a graduate of Concord High School. He was widely known for his participation in band, specifically the drumline. He was struck by a truck while riding a motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Henry Zelaya, a 20-year-old student at Indiana University - South Bend was also a graduate of Concord High School. Henry was a three-sport athlete and was a car enthusiast. On his way to work, he was struck by an SUV while riding a motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The reality is that regardless of who is at fault in any accident, drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings - does an accident happen if all drivers involved are paying attention? On my drive down to Florida this week we encountered two drivers (of which I remember) that were swerving all over the road. One woman had her phone literally right in front of her face and her view of the road, while the other tried switching into our lane and almost hit us because she was too busy looking at her phone in her lap.
Not only are phones a huge distraction to drivers (I will be the first to admit that my phone can be tempting), but we also don’t take enough time to consider our surroundings. Any major road during a work-rush is bound to be trouble - people are in a rush or running late, but don’t consider the effect that can have on other drivers. A road with a 45 speed-limit will probably have at least one person going way over, or someone riding the tail of another vehicle.
Another thing to consider is that motorcyclists can be harder to see, and I’ll be the first to admit that. Give them space on the road, let them do their thing, and please double check whenever you’re yielding to turn. In 2015, about 5,000 lives were taken in motorcycle accidents. It shouldn't be this way.
Regardless of the circumstances in any accident, from the moment we are given a plastic card to verify our ability to operate a vehicle, we are trusted to drive responsibly. These are things that we have been learning about since we were children, so why are they so hard to follow?
Please, the next time you get in your car, buckle your seatbelt. Don’t drive under the influence. Drive responsibly. But most importantly, tell your friends and family how much you love them.
I’m sending my thoughts and prayers to both the Nelson and Zelaya family. Two lives were taken way to soon.
You can donate to the Zelaya family and help cover expenses by visiting the Go Fund Me created in loving memory of Henry.
You can donate to funeral costs and support the Nelson family by visiting their Go Fund Me as well.
