It’s with a saddened heart and overwhelming grief that I write to your news portal today.
Since the accident on Friars Hill Road last Friday, I’ve been mourning my friend, Brenton Bristol, and the pain feels heavier with each passing day. It still doesn’t feel real. One moment, he was here with us, full of life, warmth, and plans for the future, and in an instant, he was taken away.
Brenton was not just another name in a headline. He was a friend who made ordinary days brighter. He was the person you could count on for a smile, a helping hand, or a good laugh when you needed it most. Losing him so suddenly has left those of us who loved him struggling to understand how such a vibrant soul could be gone because of an animal wandering onto the road.
As I grieve, my sorrow is tangled with frustration, because this is not the first life lost on our roads under similar circumstances. How many more friends, brothers, mothers, and fathers must we bury before something changes? How many more families must receive that devastating phone call? Every time I pass a stretch of road where animals roam freely, I wonder whose life might be next.
Brenton deserved better. We all do. Roads should not be death traps where drivers must choose between swerving into danger or crashing into animals they had no chance to avoid. This tragedy raises a painful but necessary question: how many more people will have to die before we take meaningful action to prevent these accidents?
I write this letter not only in memory of my friend, but in hope, hope that his death will not be another statistic, hope that the authorities and our community will finally address the dangers that have been ignored for too long. No one should have to mourn a loved one in this way again.
Grieving,
Javorne Moore
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Let’s be realistic, animals on our roads are a perennial thing. Animals are forced to cross the roads in search of food, water and even looking for mates and this usually places them in the part of speeding vehicles. Many of our roads are dark and if we only keep our speed in check, it would give us a better chance of stopping or trying to avoid crashing into them. Animal owners knows the liability involved if they were to own up when an animal is involved in a crash, especially deadly crashes so no one would claim the animal. It is really left up to the drivers to drive with commonsense and caution knowing fully well that there is always a likelihood of animals in the road, especially our dark or poorly lit rural roads.
With that said I hope the family of the deceased encourage the police not to bring any charges against the driver.
While im sorry for your loss, your frustrations are misguided. The blame lies solely on the driver who was speeding and who didn’t respect the fact that he’s responsible for another life.. If the driver aas driving responsibly they could habe stopped in time or even swerve away. Blame the driver!!
For someone that does drive at a high speed and live close to the road fast or not with the poor lighting on the roads u can barely see the animal whether it be as small as a dog and it only appears when you are to close within range….
Friars hill road is one of the very common roads where animals roam freely esp at night.
Dear Javonne.
I feel your pain. I contemplate with empathy the way it feels to lose a dear friend. While I never knew Brenton Bristol, I grieve his passing through you, his family and all who loved him and continue to carry him in your hearts.
When I think about the fact that livestock roaming the roads was a contributor to his untimely passing, I understand and appreciate your advocacy for better animal care and control by the livestock owners. Consistent responsible action on their part is truly needed not only to save lives but to prevent needless crashes on the road.
At the same time, permit me to hitch my wagon to your cause and allow me to advocate to all drivers to use the roads with due care and caution. While accidents can occur when we drive within the posted speed limits, it is less likely for motorists to die as a result of accidents when we adhere to the rules of the road. I’m of the humble opinion that where there are livestock on the roads and it results in an accident with a speeding motorist, the result is often a deadly collision. That is not good.
So, in tribute to Brenton, I urge his friends and family and all drivers to become more road conscious and cautious. Let us use the roads with care for our very lives. I make this solemn promise to you that I will remember and honour Brenton ans his legacy in the way I drive. Promise me that you will honour him in the same way too.
DenVau
My condolences to the family but we need to be cautious and observe the speed limit.
Why Jevorn never told the driver to drive responsibly? Would you accept it if the police bring charges against the driver for dangerous driving?
This would be the true test as to where you think blame ought to go.
Stop grieving. Some people pay for their deeds in different ways. Maybe Jevorn has paid for his that way.
The same time our drivers realize is not dem alone on d road it hve other people an animals