For the past few months, I have been
trying to figure out just what happened on Friday, April 16, 2011; what went
wrong and what were their last moments like? Yet, all I get is questions and no
answers and I won’t ever get those answers because no one is around to tell
me...
trying to figure out just what happened on Friday, April 16, 2011; what went
wrong and what were their last moments like? Yet, all I get is questions and no
answers and I won’t ever get those answers because no one is around to tell
me...
There are some people who still
aren’t aware of this tragic situation, so before I began my story let me
enlighten you. On April 16, 2011 Clarance Hill the driver of a 2000 Lincoln
proceeded down interstate 64 eastbound driving at what witnesses described at
100 miles per hour. Along for the ride were his good friends; Brian “Swerv”
Herrmann, Jarrell Rainey, and Terrell Cherry, reports say Hill lost control of
the car, went into a slide, ran into a ditch, and hit a tree.
aren’t aware of this tragic situation, so before I began my story let me
enlighten you. On April 16, 2011 Clarance Hill the driver of a 2000 Lincoln
proceeded down interstate 64 eastbound driving at what witnesses described at
100 miles per hour. Along for the ride were his good friends; Brian “Swerv”
Herrmann, Jarrell Rainey, and Terrell Cherry, reports say Hill lost control of
the car, went into a slide, ran into a ditch, and hit a tree.
Killing Hill and Cherry at the scene,
Herrmann died early Saturday(17) at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Rainey
on Sunday(18) surrounded by his family and friends.
Herrmann died early Saturday(17) at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Rainey
on Sunday(18) surrounded by his family and friends.
It was “horrific”, not because I saw
the accident first hand, But due to the affect it had on myself, my city, and
most of all my friends. See, some of these guys closet friends, were my closet
friends and I got to see the impact it had on them emotionally and physically.
the accident first hand, But due to the affect it had on myself, my city, and
most of all my friends. See, some of these guys closet friends, were my closet
friends and I got to see the impact it had on them emotionally and physically.
April 16 changed my life forever, I
know everyone dies, but for some reason I never thought it would come a time
where four guys I knew; would die in a car crash, speeding… yes, it happens,
but not to “Swerv”, not to Clarance, and not to guys who are just starting
their lives. They were in the midst of their primes. It leaves me wondering, if
that had even crossed their minds.
know everyone dies, but for some reason I never thought it would come a time
where four guys I knew; would die in a car crash, speeding… yes, it happens,
but not to “Swerv”, not to Clarance, and not to guys who are just starting
their lives. They were in the midst of their primes. It leaves me wondering, if
that had even crossed their minds.
I feel as though after death we all
change for a moment and then after time passes we’re back to living normal
lives and cherishing everyday right? Though, for me this time it’s different,
something is different about this time and this situation, something is
different in the minds of our young people, and something is different about my
city.
change for a moment and then after time passes we’re back to living normal
lives and cherishing everyday right? Though, for me this time it’s different,
something is different about this time and this situation, something is
different in the minds of our young people, and something is different about my
city.
I entered the funeral home in
Williamsburg almost a week after the accident, and when I saw Brian “Swerv”
laying there I instantly thought, “oh, God how is Mrs. Herrmann dealing with
this and will she ever be okay again?” She loved him and he was her world, and
my next thought was; “Did Brian consider his mom, team mates, and friends
before they drove down 64 speeding?” I said to my friend, “this isn’t right, this
isn’t fair, that’s little “Swerv” right there, and he isn’t supposed to be dead
right now or ever.”
Williamsburg almost a week after the accident, and when I saw Brian “Swerv”
laying there I instantly thought, “oh, God how is Mrs. Herrmann dealing with
this and will she ever be okay again?” She loved him and he was her world, and
my next thought was; “Did Brian consider his mom, team mates, and friends
before they drove down 64 speeding?” I said to my friend, “this isn’t right, this
isn’t fair, that’s little “Swerv” right there, and he isn’t supposed to be dead
right now or ever.”
That Friday, which marked a week
came fast I don’t think any of us were aware that this tragic incident had hit
its week mark, but I did.
came fast I don’t think any of us were aware that this tragic incident had hit
its week mark, but I did.
And on that day I entered another
funeral home to visit my high school friend Clarance Hill.
funeral home to visit my high school friend Clarance Hill.
When I got to the door a woman said,
“Are you here to see Mr. Hill?”
“Are you here to see Mr. Hill?”
I just nodded and proceeded to view
my friend for the last time. I looked over him and he was as handsome as I
remember, he looked good in blue, but then I looked around at all my friends
from high school, shaking their heads in disbelief and crying.
my friend for the last time. I looked over him and he was as handsome as I
remember, he looked good in blue, but then I looked around at all my friends
from high school, shaking their heads in disbelief and crying.
As I stood there, I went into deep
thought; “Clarance would always hit me up on facebook chat, “when you come home
for a break from college, make sure you hit me up, I miss yall mane.” And I
would always respond back, “Okay, I will.”
thought; “Clarance would always hit me up on facebook chat, “when you come home
for a break from college, make sure you hit me up, I miss yall mane.” And I
would always respond back, “Okay, I will.”
Then a few months would pass and he
would hit me up saying, “for real and I’m proud of you for sticking it out
“crazy Martia’.”
would hit me up saying, “for real and I’m proud of you for sticking it out
“crazy Martia’.”
I don’t ever remember if I told him
I loved him or thank you for pushing me through, I don’t remember if I told him
I was proud of him, but I do remember not hitting him up when I returned to
Virginia.
I loved him or thank you for pushing me through, I don’t remember if I told him
I was proud of him, but I do remember not hitting him up when I returned to
Virginia.
Just because I was too busy, but
time is of the essence and I thought I had all the time in the world.
time is of the essence and I thought I had all the time in the world.
Standing
there I was brought back to reality realizing, not one, but three guys I knew
were gone and one I had never met, but the pain filled my body and I left.
Driving all the way home in tears.
there I was brought back to reality realizing, not one, but three guys I knew
were gone and one I had never met, but the pain filled my body and I left.
Driving all the way home in tears.
By Sunday, facebook and twitter were
over flowed with messages to the fantastic four, and still two months later
individuals are shaken up over what has occurred. Two months later and nothing about this
situation had gotten any easier, it’s like we all had just found out yesterday.
over flowed with messages to the fantastic four, and still two months later
individuals are shaken up over what has occurred. Two months later and nothing about this
situation had gotten any easier, it’s like we all had just found out yesterday.
But, as long as the accident
remained in the minds of my friends, that meant they would be more careful and
really see how short life can be.
remained in the minds of my friends, that meant they would be more careful and
really see how short life can be.
Swerv’s motto was, “Cherish
Everyday” however cherishing everyday goes beyond drinking, being at every party,
and being seen everywhere you go, it’s about having fun, ceasing every
opportunity, and never forgetting that whatever you do make sure you live to
talk about it.
Everyday” however cherishing everyday goes beyond drinking, being at every party,
and being seen everywhere you go, it’s about having fun, ceasing every
opportunity, and never forgetting that whatever you do make sure you live to
talk about it.
A good friend of mine and some of
yours as well, began a blog after this situation occurred, “Live Fast, Die
Young, #IChooseLife.
yours as well, began a blog after this situation occurred, “Live Fast, Die
Young, #IChooseLife.
The words he writes has helped me
cope with this to an extent, however it’s up to me to cherish everyday and
decide will we let our lives go back to normal until we have to lay to rest our
next young black man, or will we speak out along side Davon, and choose life.
cope with this to an extent, however it’s up to me to cherish everyday and
decide will we let our lives go back to normal until we have to lay to rest our
next young black man, or will we speak out along side Davon, and choose life.
When Swerv talks about cherishing
every day, he was talking about really appreciating what life has to offer,
taking advantage of opportunity, and remembering to hug more, laugh more, and
be more grateful of life because before you know it, that life can be over.
every day, he was talking about really appreciating what life has to offer,
taking advantage of opportunity, and remembering to hug more, laugh more, and
be more grateful of life because before you know it, that life can be over.
Our
city is in mourning and we are forever changed, this is a tragedy; one that
some of us will only see once in a lifetime… Think about that for a moment…
city is in mourning and we are forever changed, this is a tragedy; one that
some of us will only see once in a lifetime… Think about that for a moment…
While they lived their lives to the fullest,
and touched so many lives, we must never forget to slow down and take a minute
to enjoy the smaller things in life, the things we often take for granted.
and touched so many lives, we must never forget to slow down and take a minute
to enjoy the smaller things in life, the things we often take for granted.
I don’t want to continue attending
funerals for young black men who I’ve known for years.
funerals for young black men who I’ve known for years.
I don’t want to continue reading
about it in the news, I don’t want to continue to see it on television; I want
you guys to wake up and SEE it for yourself; and choose life.
about it in the news, I don’t want to continue to see it on television; I want
you guys to wake up and SEE it for yourself; and choose life.
No matter what you’re doing or where
you’re going we all have to slow down and cherish every day, every minute,
every second, and everything.
you’re going we all have to slow down and cherish every day, every minute,
every second, and everything.
I will support Davon in his choose
life campaign, and I will never forget the individuals lost that day or days
before that.
life campaign, and I will never forget the individuals lost that day or days
before that.
Rest
in Peace…
in Peace…
Brian
“Swerv” Herrmann
“Swerv” Herrmann
Clarance
Hill
Hill
Jarrell
Rainey
Rainey
Terrell Cherry
Rason S. Mitchell
Javon “J Roc” Johnson
Joe Miller
Tommie “Black” Canty, Jr.
Shawn Williams
Tyrell Ward
Chris Johnson
Robert “Coop” Cooper
Ryan Richards
Choose life, understand what it
means to cherish every day, they left their mark, where will you leave yours?
means to cherish every day, they left their mark, where will you leave yours?
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