Gone too soon.

[Amanda]

A small update: There was supposed to be a sentence handed down on Dec. 6 2011 to the juvenile offender who caused this tragedy. The offender is 17, he plead guilty but will likely serve no time due to his age. However, the sentencing was delayed til Jan. 23 because though the defense wanted to conduct some other crash re-enactment they waited til the last moment to do so, and then claimed they didn't have enough time to put it together (they had since September, by the way). We showed up Dec. 6 and waited around hoping for this all to be over (the legal parts of it anyway) but then were told otherwise. Now we're simply waiting to be called in by the D.A.s for the actual sentencing; we're not going in there any other time - it was too hard on my aunt, uncle, and other relatives who showed up.
If anyone is of the praying sort, please pray this gets resolved soon, to the satisfaction of our family and Bryan's loved ones. Additionally, my other aunt was diagnosed with a type of smooth muscle cancer recently and could use some prayers too, as well as our 90-year-old grandfather, whom we recently put into a senior home.

[Hutchsmash]

When it rains it pours Amanda.  My family and I will keep you and yours in our thoughts. 

Hutch

[Granny B]

A small update: There was supposed to be a sentence handed down on Dec. 6 2011 to the juvenile offender who caused this tragedy. The offender is 17, he plead guilty but will likely serve no time due to his age. However, the sentencing was delayed til Jan. 23 because though the defense wanted to conduct some other crash re-enactment they waited til the last moment to do so, and then claimed they didn't have enough time to put it together (they had since September, by the way). We showed up Dec. 6 and waited around hoping for this all to be over (the legal parts of it anyway) but then were told otherwise. Now we're simply waiting to be called in by the D.A.s for the actual sentencing; we're not going in there any other time - it was too hard on my aunt, uncle, and other relatives who showed up.
If anyone is of the praying sort, please pray this gets resolved soon, to the satisfaction of our family and Bryan's loved ones. Additionally, my other aunt was diagnosed with a type of smooth muscle cancer recently and could use some prayers too, as well as our 90-year-old grandfather, whom we recently put into a senior home.

Amanda, you and your family are in our prayers.   

Court is such a hassle!  And the shenanigans of the scumyers will just drive you nuts, while they try to save their scumbags.

You have my sympathy for what you and your family are enduring.

[AnneTheBelgian]

My dear Amanda,


Thanks to share these informations with us all.

Of course, you and your loved ones are in my prayers.

My family and I will continue to pray for you all.

God bless you all !

Don't forget that if you need some help or if you want to talk I am also there for you !

Don't hesitate !


 

[Amanda]

Hutch, Granny, and Anne - thank you very much for your replies and encouragement in this tough time. It is very much appreciated, more than simple words on a forum can express. I'll certainly pass your words onto my family. 

[Amanda]

Good news, folks, we have a resolution! We went to court on Monday April 9 expecting to have to come back on April 16 but there was good news: the defendant, now 18, agreed to plead guilty to one charge of vehicular manslaughter, a misdemeanor. He was given formal probation, and his sentence is: 200 hours of community service (most likely speaking to teens about distracted driving and what his one mistake caused), and a 1-year license suspension. He'll have his own probation officer and will be closely monitored. This sentence is apparently one of the strictest he could have gotten, so we are pleased - as pleased as we can be under the circumstances I guess. I'm glad he'll be off the roads for a year, at least. Nothing can bring Bryan back but I for one am glad that the defendant got his sentence; it is great that this thing is over with. Now we, Bryan's family, can focus on all the good times we had with him and the humor and light he brought to our lives instead of thinking about the next court date... I really miss him so much. The emptiness really sets in sometimes. Anyway, thanks for reading, and all your prayers. They're much appreciated!

~ Amanda

[AnneTheBelgian]

My dear Amanda,


Thank you for these news and updates !

You are always in our thoughts and prayers, week after week !

God bless you and all your family !

God bless Bryan forever !


 






Anne

[Amanda]

Can't believe it's been a year, plus 2 days. We attended a memorial party held in Bryan's honor this past Wednesday July 11. So many people were there, and we all had at least one thing (or 2 things) in common - we loved him and we missed him. We miss his laughter, his smile, his zest for life, his stories and jokes, or just hanging out with him doing whatever. I got to talk to his dad (my uncle) a little bit too and that was good - I'm not a very social person at all but somehow we just couldn't stop talking. Haha. His favorite foods were, among other things, pizza and brownies, so that's what we had to eat. Many people have gotten tattoos in Bryan's honor, or done other things in remembrance. For example, I'm a longtime blood donor and have donated in his memory multiple times since he died. The gathering was sad at times, of course, but it was mostly happy and lighthearted, just as it would be if he were still with all of us. Actually I think he was there... Just wanted to post this in case anyone was wondering about the anniversary. Maybe, maybe not. Hope you all are doing well.

[Rick4404]

Amanda, please accept our sincerest condolences over the loss of your cousin. Such a tragedy at such a young age. Praying for you all!!

[AnneTheBelgian]

Dear Amanda,


Thanks to share this party of your life with us all here

Please, continue to stay strong and do it for your dear cousin Bryan and for your family

I know that you are courageous and you are a very good woman with a kind heart

Consider that you and your loved ones are always in my prayers and thoughts

God bless you all !

Hugs !




Anne