Accident in Corona on 2/21

[sarah]

I am so sorry to hear that. My last sentence of that comment above was not to you, it was to the ones who feel its neccessary to make comments about the bad language or to even have the nerve to tell Rachels family to move on. Yes this is a place to write what you think but come on people have a little heart to those who are suffering. Again Martha, I am so sorry for you loss.

[BTDT]

If someone I loved was killed by a drunk f'n driver I'd be cussing up a f'n storm. Maybe discussions like this aren't meant for those with senstive ears. F drunk drivers! And F those who can't sympathize!

[Stephen]

Well, after reading all of this I think if I were Rachel's family I certainly wouldn't want to be posting here, on a public forum where people don't know the lady killed. I would rather be posting on a personal website of some sort. Why put yourselves through all of this torment by the public I ask? Haven't you all suffered enough?

[Debbie]

Even though I didn't know Rachel, she will be with me forever.

I still can't sleep with my windows open at night for fear I will hear the horrific sound of those two cars colliding that night. I live right where the accident happened, my husband had gone downstairs at 12:10 in the morning (before the accident) because he couldn't sleep. I was by myself in bed upstairs when the accident happened. In my whole life, I can honestly say I have never heard a sound so horrible. I called 911. My husband didn't hear anything since he was in the restroom. I ran downstairs and out the backyard. I could see Rachel's destroyed car from the corner of my yard. I couldn't see the other car. I kept my eyes on her car the whole time and prayed. I saw the first car pull up. I heard a policeman ask one of my neighbors if he had a camera. I saw a gurney being rolled into an ambulance.

I told my husband how sad I was for someones family because someone they loved so much wouldn't be coming home that night. I never dreamed it would be an 18 year old little girl. I want the public to know how real this was, and still is, to every one of us affected. Please be kind when posting to this forum as this issue is sensitive to all of us, even those of us who did not know Rachel at all!

[sarah]

To Stephens comment, I think her family that is posting here is wanting to be heard and hoping if people read what they are going through it will get into their heads and make them think twice about the next time they get behind the wheel after even one drink. I would suspect that all thats on her family members minds is how they can prevent this from happening to another innocent girl. It's part of the healing process.

[Stephen]

sarah wrote:

To Stephens comment, I think her family that is posting here is wanting to be heard and hoping if people read what they are going through it will get into their heads and make them think twice about the next time they get behind the wheel after even one drink. I would suspect that all thats on her family members minds is how they can prevent this from happening to another innocent girl. It's part of the healing process.

This is too small of a forum for that. To get their messages across, they should be speakers in front of large crowds, that will get the message out.

[Linds]

Martha wrote:

<quoted text>
I am not judging anyone, I lost my only two nieces to drunk drivers and I don't have any children of my own. I think it makes the hurt that much worse for those like myself who don't have any children of their own. My two nieces were like my children. It has made my life very sad.

Martha - My husband and I do not have children, and neither does my brother. Rachel and her brother Erik were like our own. Our family has always been very close. I've been in love with Rachel since the day she was born. She had been living with my husband and I while attending her first year of college for 8 months and we became even closer. Lando was helping support her as well in college. It was a family effort to make sure she could persue her dreams. When we lost Rachel my husband and I decided that we wanted to try and have a baby, which before Rachel we did not give a whole lot of thought to. We experienced a new kind of love and what it was like to have a family while she was living with us and after we lost her a void was created. We want that type of love back. I am sorry for your loss and all I can tell you is that I understand. I knew what you meant in your first comment and I did not take it wrong. Thank you for sharing your story and again I am very sorry. Why bad things happen to good people I will never understand. Take care.

[sarah]

Yeah but Stephen at least its something, everything counts and how do you know they arent trying to do more as well. There are several beautiful websites up for Rachel but this one is what the public see's. Just remember every 15 min. someone is killed by a drunk driver and anything to try and help that even if it is just a small blog is worth it in my opinion. Bless everyone's heart who is trying to be heard here. Rachel would be so proud of her family.

[Linds]

Stephen wrote:

<quoted text>
This is too small of a forum for that. To get their messages across, they should be speakers in front of large crowds, that will get the message out.

Already in progress... We have websites, have been attending marches, signing up to speak at the every 15 minutes program, etc. We take every opportunity we can and speak to whom ever will listen no matter how small the forum is.

[sarah]

Linds, if at all possible I would love to know if there are any upcoming events. I was bummed to hear there was a walk last week that we missed. I would really appreciate it.
p.s bless your hearts for trying to make a difference out there. I know its working.

[Rachels Uncle]

Martha wrote:

<quoted text>
Honey, do you and your brother have children of your own or was Rachel like your daughter? Just curious.

Martha,

Lindsay and I do not have children. I cannot have children actually so Rachel and Erik were extra special to me. I used to say "being an uncle is better than being a dad because it's ALL fun." Now it's not all fun, but thank God we have still Erik and my younger sister in Mississippi has a boy and a girl. I do not get to see them much, but am thankful for them.

Thanks for asking,

Lando

[Rachels Uncle]

Martha,

I just read (just now noticed) that you are in the same boat we are in. Honestly, worse. Losing two nieces is just awful. I would like to take this time to tell you how sorry I am to hear of your great loss. This is so sad. If you would ever like to share their story please let me know. I will have a section on Rachel's website soon specifically to share the stories of loved ones taken by drunk drivers. I would be honored to include yours if this is something you would feel comfortable with. My goal with this website is to make it findable on the internet for others to read. Many high school students do reports on drinking and driving and one of the top searches is Drunk Driving Stories. They really need to be heard.

Take care,

Lando

Martha wrote:

<quoted text>
I am not judging anyone, I lost my only two nieces to drunk drivers and I don't have any children of my own. I think it makes the hurt that much worse for those like myself who don't have any children of their own. My two nieces were like my children. It has made my life very sad.

[Harmonys Dad]

Drunk Driving crashes are no accident. They are a 100% preventible crime that one day will never happen. If you really want to do something to honor your friend and love ones death, get involved in the campaign to eliminate drunk driving through MADD. I, too, lost someone close to me. My 8 year old daughter. I now a fighting to good fight to stop this from ever happening to anyone else. Find a MADD chapter in your area and volunteer. Give what you can in memory of you friend.

[Linds]

Thank you Debbie for sharing this. People do need to somehow understand how real this is. I just wish people could get "it" without it actually happening to them if that makes sense. I know you do. Thank you for all your kind words and keeping up with our story.

Debbie wrote:

Even though I didn't know Rachel, she will be with me forever.
I still can't sleep with my windows open at night for fear I will hear the horrific sound of those two cars colliding that night. I live right where the accident happened, my husband had gone downstairs at 12:10 in the morning (before the accident) because he couldn't sleep. I was by myself in bed upstairs when the accident happened. In my whole life, I can honestly say I have never heard a sound so horrible. I called 911. My husband didn't hear anything since he was in the restroom. I ran downstairs and out the backyard. I could see Rachel's destroyed car from the corner of my yard. I couldn't see the other car. I kept my eyes on her car the whole time and prayed. I saw the first car pull up. I heard a policeman ask one of my neighbors if he had a camera. I saw a gurney being rolled into an ambulance.
I told my husband how sad I was for someones family because someone they loved so much wouldn't be coming home that night. I never dreamed it would be an 18 year old little girl. I want the public to know how real this was, and still is, to every one of us affected. Please be kind when posting to this forum as this issue is sensitive to all of us, even those of us who did not know Rachel at all!

[Linds]

Stephen wrote:

Well, after reading all of this I think if I were Rachel's family I certainly wouldn't want to be posting here, on a public forum where people don't know the lady killed. I would rather be posting on a personal website of some sort. Why put yourselves through all of this torment by the public I ask? Haven't you all suffered enough?

Stephen we will post where ever we can and to whom ever will listen. When people make stupid or rude comments it does not affect us in the way that you would think. Certain things stop mattering as much. We know what really matters, now more than ever.

[Linds]

I want to get back to the person who killed my niece. I need to know if she understands the gravity of the situation. I NEED to know if she has any clue about the pain involved. I know that she is a mother and ultimately she will have to be there for her son and would not want anything less. I just can't image what I would do if I were in her shoes. I think I would do one of 2 things: Kill myself or do everything in my power to try and make a difference. I suppose I would contact the family, then I would speak, march, use myself as an example in any way possible. I would write a book, a blog, create a website. I would plead guilty and accept my punishment with no complaint. But unfortunately I believe that this person will do nothing but go on with her life trying to ignore what happened.

[Debbie]

We (my neighbors and myself) all get it Linds because we witnessed first hand the devastation of a drunk driver. Until someone is emotionally touched by something like this (as we have been), will they actually "get it". All any of us can do is continue to pass the word and hope and pray it has some impact on people! Each and every time I drive, and anyone I love drives, I now tell them to be careful and drive safe because of Rachel. Twice on the freeway I have called 911 since the accident and have reported 2 drivers tha I have suspected were drunk. I want them off the road and I never want to see or hear what I heard and saw that night. I will continue my crusade as well and do my part to help forever!

Linds wrote:

Thank you Debbie for sharing this. People do need to somehow understand how real this is. I just wish people could get "it" without it actually happening to them if that makes sense. I know you do. Thank you for all your kind words and keeping up with our story.
<quoted text>

[Steven]

What is the exact address/intersection where the crash happened?

[Insider]

Steven wrote:

What is the exact address/intersection where the crash happened?

Knabe Rd & Claystone Ave.
Corona, CA 92883

Rachel made a right turn off of Claystone onto Knabe, then drive about 100 ft and was hit head-on.

Map Link:
http://maps.google.com/maps...

[Kristie R]

I did not know Rachel, but I knew her grandparents in Orland. My heart is absolutely saddened by the loss of this beautiful girl.

To the family: I lost a family member to a drunk driver 10 years ago, and it doesn't get any easier. There is always a void in your life and every day, every holiday, you will feel that pain and loss.
Just remember that even though we want them here, they are in a world where they feel no pain. Nothing can be said to lessen the emptiness you feel.

The the drunk driver: You made a choice that changed so many lives in the worst way possible. I hope you understand the magnitude of your actions. There is no excuse for your choice to drive- there were other choices out there that you chose not to take. I hope every day you remember the life you took.

To Rachel: You can rest in peace knowing you graced this world for such a short time and affected so many people in beautiful way. You were truly loved and missed by all.