“Forgiveness is not earned. It is given.” – Author Unknown. –
A 69-year-old deacon of a Baptist church in the low country of South Carolina sits in the driver’s seat of a large van. He cranks the engine of the van as 45 teenagers from the youth program board the bus. Their first destination is Hartfield-Jackson International Airport. From there, they are to fly to the western part of Africa to build houses, dig a well, and perform other missionary duties.
Everyone feels safe. They have had their shots, are in good physical shape, and already know the people and terrain in west Africa.
However, no one will make the flight to Africa. That morning, strong storms moved through the Atlanta area and along I-20 toward Augusta, Ga. No one would imagine that the storm would bring three inches of rain throughout the region.
Before their departure to Atlanta, the deacon checks the tires, oil, engine, and other parts of the van to ensure that safety is not ignored.
Noon EST – The missionary team departs. As they cross the South Carolina/Georgia state line, the wind and rain intensify. The deacon slows down, gets into the right lane, and concentrates on the road.
Suddenly, a pickup truck moves in front of the van in the right lane. The deacon applies the brakes to avoid a collision. Instantly, the van begins to hydroplane. As the van slides clockwise, it flips over and comes to a rest. Widespread panic grips the passengers as they break windows to get it out of the van. The deacon calls 911, tends to the wounded, and determines the total casualty count. Ten youths have minor injuries, one has moderate injuries, and two are dead. The two dead youths were seated in the right front side of the van. Blunt force trauma to the head was the cause of death for both James and Elizabeth.
Within minutes, law enforcement, ambulances, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), and the coroner arrive at the scene. The wounded are taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Officers and investigators from GSP begin their work on the reconstruction of the accident.
After three hours, everyone has left the scene. The parents of James and Elizabeth are crushed, lash out in mourning, and are very angry. One week later, the deacon is deemed to be responsible for the accident in the report generated by GSP.
A week later, right or wrong, the deacon is charged by prosecutors with two counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the 2nd Degree. These counts are misdemeanors because drugs, alcohol, reckless driving, nor fleeing from the scene are applicable. After a few months, the parents of James and Elizabeth react very differently. Because there is at least some evidence that could be used to convict the deacon, he enters an Alford plea. This is a guilty plea that is tendered before the court because it is in the best interest of the defendant.
At the sentencing hearing, only two witnesses testify: the mothers of James and Elizabeth. James’s mother has hellfire and brimstone in her eyes. It takes her 20 excruciating minutes to demand that the judge punish the deacon with 24 months in jail, which is the maximum sentence.
Elizabeth’s mother cries as she takes the stand. The deacon and his lawyer expect the worst. But, they will see and hear something very different. “I forgive you. I know that you did not do this on purpose. You are a good man who had an accident. Your Honor, please have mercy on this man. Sending him to jail will not bring Elizabeth back. It will only create further pain.”
The courtroom falls silent. The judge announces her sentence. The deacon will serve 12 months on probation (no jail time) with first offender treatment which means that if the deacon completes the probation period without getting into trouble, he will not have a conviction on his record. The judge also agrees to seal the record.
The judge closes the proceedings with this, “I have found through my experiences in life that losing a loved one is one of the most painful episodes one can imagine. I have also learned that you must forgive in order to be forgiven. My hope is that everyone involved in this horrible tragedy will eventually find some healing.”
This court stands adjourned.