By Isabella Cruz
In 2008, Carlton Streeter lived in New Jersey before moving back to California. During that time, he experienced a life-altering tragedy when his 16-year-old nephew died due to an automobile accident. His nephew and his 18-year-old son were speeding on their way back home, swerved to avoid another vehicle, and crashed into a tree. The impact killed his nephew instantly.
Streeter was working in Brooklyn when he received a call from his wife about the accident. Recalling that moment, Streeter said, “When the doctors told me he passed away, I was devastated. That was the most pain I ever had in my life, and as his parents came in from Philadelphia, the doctor wanted me to tell them that there was an accident and I couldn't and walked away. And after I walked away, the doctor told them, and I heard the screams. It was the worst thing ever from the mom and the dad.”
In the days following the grief, Streeter’s pain didn’t end there. On top of dealing with the loss of his 16-year-old nephew, his son needed to face legal consequences. “It was the worst thing that ever happened to my life,” shared Streeter. As he came back to California for the funeral, his son was devastated, guilty, and soon needed to serve time in prison. In the state of New Jersey, if an individual is caught speeding, drunk, or on any substance, they get a mandatory six to ten years in prison. So, not only did he lose his nephew, he lost his son.
Due to the other driver using illegal substances, Streeter’s son was given a plea bargain. His son had to serve 18 months. Reflecting on the aftermath, Streeter shared that his son went to college to pursue a criminal justice degree. He also shared, “He still has anxiety from that event, and when my nephew's birthday comes around, he gets extremely depressed.”
His son also suffered a brain injury after the crash, and it made it difficult to comprehend what happened. “He hit his head too, so the doctors had to tell him what happened, and he would cry, and the next day, he would forget, and we had to tell him again. Over and over again. It lasted three days until it finally clicked.”
That experience left lasting wounds on Carlton Streeter’s family.
Speaking for young drivers at Rialto High School, he would like to share a message: “That changed my life, and anything can happen at any moment. My son wasn’t high, he wasn’t drunk, but he was speeding because he was late to class, and that changed my life. Wherever you are going, you will get there. You do not have to speed to get there, and it is better to be late than not to make it.”
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