Backovers

Colin Walminski

1999 - November 1, 2006

My only child Colin died Nov 1st 2006, He was 7 years old and a wonderful, bright, energetic little boy. He loved all animals, we had 2 dogs, a cat, 2 guinea pigs, 3 lizards, and hermit crabs, but his favorites were birds. He loved everything about birds, didn’t matter the size color he was amazed by all of them. He had a huge collection of these small stuffed birds from Wild Republic that made the real bird sounds of that bird. He was so excited about his collection and he was always showing them off to everybody and was always trying to do good so we would take him to the store to get more. He would go to the library at school or our town public library and he always got a different bird book. He would have his 1st grade teacher read them to the class and as a class he help share his love of birds by helping his classmates learn about them.

Colin was killed while he was walking home from school with his fellow friends to the babysitter’s house. He was on the sidewalk and while walking with no warning he was hit by a Cadillac Escalade that was backing out of their inclined driveway. Everything was done but to the best of the paramedics’ and hospital staff he didn’t make it. Colin’s dad and I were at work that day about 45 minutes away. When we got the phone call we flew to the hospital but it felt like an eternity to get there. On the way to the hospital I prayed but at the worst I thought he would have a few broken bones, On the way we were in contact with the cops, and his principle (she had rode in the Ambulance with him) I never would have imagined I was going to lose him. As soon as we arrived we were taken to a small room by the ER and shortly the doctor came in. He didn’t have to speak he just looked down and we knew. They said they tried everything but he was gone.

However as much as an accident that they said it was, I believe it could have been prevented. All of the things you shouldn’t do when driving a big SUV or even a small car at that were done that day. Backing up over a sidewalk, on a street where every day at that time children were walking home. The SUV also had a back up sensor but it was turned off. There was another vehicle parked in the driveway blocking any view that Colin could have had to see the SUV backing up or for the driver to possible see him.

The driver was found guilty of unsafe backing and had to pay an undisclosed fine. I know in my heart it was an accident but I also know that it could have been prevented if the driver was more aware of the dangers that are involved with SUV’s.

Today he is missed more than ever, not a day or even a minute goes by that he is not thought about. I spread the word as much as I can about the dangers of SUV’s and tell my story. This web site KidsAndCars.org is a great way to help get the word out.

School Mourns for Boy Killed While Walking Home – Times Herald Record

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