RAK: Killed by a drunk driver
 

2 days ago (Friday) one of my husband's dear friends was killed by a drunk driver. At 10:30 my girlfriend April, her husband and their 3 kids finished up a shopping trip to Wal-Mart. The drunk driver blew the light and Moses was killed immediately. April is in ICU at (UTMB) Galveston, John Sealy Hospital. The kids were released last night and we brought them home. The kids names are Serena, 13 - Leah, 7 - and Moses "Ezekial" Santos, - 2. At this point Serena is the only one that knows her father has gone home. MOSES WAS A BOLD CHRISTIAN AND LOVED THE LORD. Moses has an identical twin so keep the family in your prayers. April has regained some measure of conciousness but is not out of the woods yet. They are keeping her in a drug induced state of rest. Her body has suffered a lot. The kids are dealing with their injuries.

God has moved in mighty ways and I wish I had the energy to share them all with you. We have established a Benefit Account for the family. Suffice to say that this family was in no way financially prepared to cover funeral expenses or meet bills. Moses was the breadwinner and April is in college.

I would like to see RAKs for Serena. She is the only one who was concious through this whole thing and remembers a great deal of detail. She has taken a stance of leadership in the family needs. She is still a kid and although her stance is healthy it is too big for her shoulders. April is strong and will be more pleased that people cared enough to shower Serena and Leah.

If you would like to donate any money or send cards for the family please mail them to:

Light Christian Center
Attn: Lisa Martinez Mahon/ (name of intended, ie Serena, Leah, April, Benefit account)
1501 W. South St.
Alvin, TX 77511

If you live in the Houston area, we are coordinating benefits. Please PM me and I will get you details.

If nothing else, please think about getting behind the wheel after drinking. 3 children are now fatherless and their mother is in critical condition.

Oh how absolutely horrible. I will definitely send a card.

:(

How terrible! This family is definitely in my thoughts and prayers! My best friend's brother was killed by a drunk driver 20+ years ago and I know she still thinks about it each day.

I hope that Serena is able to have a childhood and not "relive" each detail everyday. No child should have to endure such hardship!

This family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend's family at this time.

It makes me so mad to think of someone leaving so young due to something so preventable & horrible. My only comfort is that your friend is with the Lord now. I just pray that He will give comfort to affected.

Darcie

This family is definetly in my prayers. We are coming up on the 5 year anniversary of my Dad's death. He was killed by a drunk driver as well.

This is too important so I am bumping it up to the top..

Let's please do what we can to show this family that they are in all of our prayers.

Will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers. Will get a card out asap.

Oh my Goodness! Terrible....just terrible.

I am so sorry to hear about this tragedy. There are few things I find more infuriating than drunk driving. I lost an aunt and uncle to a drunk driving. They had two boys who lost their parents way too young--so senseless. I will be sending a card and will pass this info on to a couple of my stampin' friends. I'm sure MADD has already been in touch with them, they are a very helpful group and have a lot of resources available to them. They were a big help to my family especially during the trial (I know that's far off for this family right now, but when it does come, MADD is a great ally to have in your corner.)

My thoughts are also with you and your family through this time.

Erica

sending thoughts and {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} to the family. i will get a card out to them.
you are a great friend to help them out and take in the children in the face of tragedy. you are awesome! {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

Ladyscrppr,
First off I wanted to say that your post is a beautiful testiment of your love and respect for your extended family who has suffered such a tragic, senceless loss.
A friend is comming over to stamp this morning, we will make raks for this family.
God Bless your family for being there for Moses'. We will keep your family, and Moses' in our prayers.

Praying for Moses' family...how good to know that he is with our Lord! Praying for a swift and complete healing for April too. Will send a card as soon as I can!

How very sad.....I'll keep the family in my prayers and will be sending out a card today.

Your message made me cry - I can't imagine my little girl having to deal with such loss and memory. I'll be sending a card. Suzanne

LadyScrpper,

My heartfelt prayers go out to the family and friends of Moses and April. My words cannot fully express how sorry I am for this to have happened. I will pray for the children & April to heal quickly and completely and for God to give them the strength they will need to deal with this horrible accident.

Melissa

Please keep us all posted on April's recovery. My thoughts are with you and her family:)

I will be sending a card too!! This family will be in our prayers as well.

Bonnie

My thoughts and prayers
 

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Please know I will send an RAK.

-Helen

You guys are so fantastic.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family. Hugs to Serena- and I am sending a RAK too! I am glad to hear April is awake, please keep us posted.

Susan

My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this extremely tough time. I couldn't imagine the pain that they are going through.

i'll send one too.

What a heartbreaking story. On person's poor decision leads to a family's loss forever.

My family was hit by a VERY drunk driver on our way to 9am(!) church last October. We were very blessed that we weren't injured more seriously (a broken collarbone for me was the worst of it) given the severity of the impact. I still have a hard time being out on the road either as a passenger or as a driver. It really wakes you up to the important stuff!

My prayers are definitely with them all.

I'm so sorry to hear of this family's loss due to a preventable tragedy. You and your friends will be in my prayers, and I'll send out a card asap.

Praying!! I just don't know what else to say to such a sad story.

bump to top

I am so sorry to read about this accident!!! Thank God he was a Christian!!! I will send a card asap! Keep us posted!!!
Janice

My very heart felt prayers for the loss of a friend, father, brother, son, husband. I cannot imagine how the kids must feel. I wish April lots of love and hope in her recovery. When I read the story to my kids they cried. There are people out there that have no respect for others. It is my deepest hope the kids survive this.

Hey just wanted to say thanks. Friday night we had the wake and funeral. Our church secretary brought me 2 cards one for April and one for Serena. I gave them to Serena and she thought it was cool "that my friends cared so much and were so nice." April has not regained her memory and is still very confused and not aware of what is happening but God will restore her. Please pray that the swelling and brusing on her brain will soon be restored to God's original design. Serena has been so mature and so wonderful. She got up and spoke about her father and invited everyone in the church (staning room only) to accept Jesus so they could see her father again like she will. She's only 13. So strong and so bold.

Thank you guys so much.

I'll continue praying for April's recovery and that the swelling & bruising of her brain will go away. Serena sounds like a very mature young lady. It is so impressive that she spoke to others about accepting Christ so that they will be able to see her father just as she will one day. She has accepted the gift that God offers *all* of us. I like how she is still able to witness to others even when she is in so much pain.

Offering my prayers,

Melissa

Greatly Appreciated.


Thanks,
Lisa

Lisa, my card for Serena will be in the mail tommorrow. I told my DH how she got up during the service and spoke about her dad, and then invited everyone to accept His gift. Needless to say DH starting crying. We are both so amazed how she's holding up and for turning something so horrible into something that God can work with and through. We will continue praying for her and her family.

Bonnie

Bonnie,

Thank you. It is nothing short of the prayers of so many that have been faithful that have kept God's constant peace over this family. The kids came to church this AM with their grandmother who is now attending our church. So much has come of this death. So many have gotten saved, reunited their marriages, and redidicated their lives. It has been amazing. I know that God has worked a restoration in my heart. I have begun to thirst and hunger for him like I did when I got saved 16 years ago. I truly believe our time is short. I expect that trumpet any time now! =)

Lisa

I've sent a card to the church too. Please continue to update us on April's condition as we continue to pray for her and the family. Remember, everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord. He is using this tragedy to work miracles for other people. He is AWESOME! Dana

Prayers here....
 

I can relate somewhat to this. My brother was killed by a drunk driving minor when I was 12. I was told by well meaning friends and relatives that I had to "be strong" for my parents. So I didn't grieve till much later and it was really hard.

Please spread the word that if you drink that is fine but please, please, please use a designated driver, cab or walk !

A card will go out yet this week and prayers for all are going up constantly.

HUGS, Lori-Belle

My prayers are with this family. What a testiment of the family's faith. If only we all were as bold and honest about Jesus as Serena has been.

"Our God Reigns"

Thanks guys. Ok now I need advice. I sat down and wrote out a bunch of cards so I can drop one in the mail every other day to April. On the first card I said that I didn't want to invade her space but wanted her to know that I was praying for her and that I was only a phone call away. I don't want to intrude on her life but fear that not making my presence know will make her feel like maybe I am avoiding dealing with the change in our lives.

Since our Bible study is over and we are both in school we don't see each other near as often as we did a couple months back. With summer now looming, normally we would be seeing a lot of the family for bar-b-ques and all the stuff we usually get together and do during summer.

So what do I do? Do I drop her a phone call or wait for her to call me. I need direction.

Thanks,
Lisa

I would make a point of calling her & inviting her to do stuff with you. She will need some sense of normal routines. She'll also appreciate having friends to lean on. You may have to call & invite her to stuff several times before she is "mentally" ready to do things. Does that make sense? Don't give up on her if she turns you down a couple of times. When she is ready, she'll let you know.

Melissa

Sorry if this doesn't make sense, but I have extra kids here today, & it's pretty wild.