I hadn't seen this posted yet, so I thought I'd share as a reminder of how dangerous our responses can be.
Teen involved in firetruck crash dies after days in coma
By MEGHAN V. MALLOY
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
November 27, 2006
Family and friends will gather at services today and Tuesday to remember a popular 16-year-old who died Sunday after spending more than five days in critical condition at Mercy Medical Center.
Erika Schwager, of Bondurant, a Des Moines Christian School student, died at 12:23 a.m. from injuries suffered when her car was struck by a West Des Moines firetruck responding to an alarm at Valley West Mall.
A visitation for Schwager will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, a pastor from the Schwager family's church said on Sunday.
On Friday night, according to the family, doctors decided to remove Schwager from a chemically induced coma. The next day, Schwager's family said "her physical body can no longer fight."
"Erika is going home," they wrote in a Web site entry dated 7:28 p.m. Saturday.
"We imagine her dancing, joking and laughing; joyful in her new home," her family wrote at caringbridge.org, an Internet site used by families and friends during a health crisis.
Many of the Caringbridge Web site entries written by the family were messages of hope, but also of acceptance and peace.
Family members and friends were asked to "quietly and humbly rejoice with us for Erika's new freedom and entrance into Heaven."
"Erika and her family are completely dedicated followers of Jesus Christ," said Jordon Korell, a pastor at Valley Church, where the Schwagers attend services.
"The family is very thankful to the community for the support and prayers they have received," Korell said.
"They ask for the community to continue praying for them, and to pray for the firefighters involved."
Like the family, Schwager's friends also looked to find peace despite the accident.
A Facebook.com group, called "To the Girl with the Bubbliest Personality Ever!,'' was made for friends to post pictures and memories they shared with Schwager.
"But this isn't a group to mourn her death, but to rejoice in her life," the group's description reads.
"She'll never be forgotten."
Bubbly summed up the popular teenager best, said former classmate Chloe Fontanini.
"I didn't know her all that well, but she had a nice personality," Fontanini said. "She was very well-liked at school."
Schwager was a Lions cheerleader, participated in the drama club and managed the school's volleyball team.
John Steddom, principal of the secondary school in the Des Moines Christian School system, said an assembly would be held the first thing this morning.
Grief counselors will also be on hand for students.
"She was an outstanding young lady," Steddom said. "She worked hard in class and jumped into many activities."
Schwager was headed home last Monday night when she crashed into a West Des Moines firetruck at Valley West Drive and Westown Parkway.
Witnesses said Schwager slowed down for two police cars but then sped up to beat the firetruck.
The firetruck struck the teen's car, then crossed the median and hit another vehicle, which struck a third. No one else was injured.
Urbandale police have been asked to investigate the accident to avoid conflicts of interest, said West Des Moines Lt. Jeff Miller. The investigation should be finished this week.
The firetruck was headed to the mall, where an alarm had sounded at the Younkers department store.
It turned out to be a false alarm.
Reporter Kate McGinty contributed to this story.
Teen involved in firetruck crash dies after days in coma
By MEGHAN V. MALLOY
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
November 27, 2006
Family and friends will gather at services today and Tuesday to remember a popular 16-year-old who died Sunday after spending more than five days in critical condition at Mercy Medical Center.
Erika Schwager, of Bondurant, a Des Moines Christian School student, died at 12:23 a.m. from injuries suffered when her car was struck by a West Des Moines firetruck responding to an alarm at Valley West Mall.
A visitation for Schwager will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, a pastor from the Schwager family's church said on Sunday.
On Friday night, according to the family, doctors decided to remove Schwager from a chemically induced coma. The next day, Schwager's family said "her physical body can no longer fight."
"Erika is going home," they wrote in a Web site entry dated 7:28 p.m. Saturday.
"We imagine her dancing, joking and laughing; joyful in her new home," her family wrote at caringbridge.org, an Internet site used by families and friends during a health crisis.
Many of the Caringbridge Web site entries written by the family were messages of hope, but also of acceptance and peace.
Family members and friends were asked to "quietly and humbly rejoice with us for Erika's new freedom and entrance into Heaven."
"Erika and her family are completely dedicated followers of Jesus Christ," said Jordon Korell, a pastor at Valley Church, where the Schwagers attend services.
"The family is very thankful to the community for the support and prayers they have received," Korell said.
"They ask for the community to continue praying for them, and to pray for the firefighters involved."
Like the family, Schwager's friends also looked to find peace despite the accident.
A Facebook.com group, called "To the Girl with the Bubbliest Personality Ever!,'' was made for friends to post pictures and memories they shared with Schwager.
"But this isn't a group to mourn her death, but to rejoice in her life," the group's description reads.
"She'll never be forgotten."
Bubbly summed up the popular teenager best, said former classmate Chloe Fontanini.
"I didn't know her all that well, but she had a nice personality," Fontanini said. "She was very well-liked at school."
Schwager was a Lions cheerleader, participated in the drama club and managed the school's volleyball team.
John Steddom, principal of the secondary school in the Des Moines Christian School system, said an assembly would be held the first thing this morning.
Grief counselors will also be on hand for students.
"She was an outstanding young lady," Steddom said. "She worked hard in class and jumped into many activities."
Schwager was headed home last Monday night when she crashed into a West Des Moines firetruck at Valley West Drive and Westown Parkway.
Witnesses said Schwager slowed down for two police cars but then sped up to beat the firetruck.
The firetruck struck the teen's car, then crossed the median and hit another vehicle, which struck a third. No one else was injured.
Urbandale police have been asked to investigate the accident to avoid conflicts of interest, said West Des Moines Lt. Jeff Miller. The investigation should be finished this week.
The firetruck was headed to the mall, where an alarm had sounded at the Younkers department store.
It turned out to be a false alarm.
Reporter Kate McGinty contributed to this story.
Comment