STEPHENVILLE — The heart-wrenching reflection of how the lives of family members were literally torn apart because of the actions of a drunk driver was read at a MADD Vigil held in Stephenville on Thursday evening.
Josephine Felix was killed in an impaired crash on Aug. 24, 1994 and her daughter Bridget and son Mark were injured in the accident, as well as a friend.
This year the Mother Against Drunk Driving Bay St. George Chapter was able to sponsor the three daughters of Josephine Felix — Sharon, Madge and Bridget — to go to the National Candlelight Vigil in Scarborough, Ont., held Apr. 29 to May 1.
Sharon Mujica wrote in an email to the local chapter that the national vigil was wonderful and they had a fantastic time meeting people who have been through the same thing.
She said there was a storytelling session, which they found really hard at first; however, hugs for healing was really powerful, along with sessions regarding their anger, one on humour and another regarding through the eyes of the victim.
“We have never experienced this before and were so overwhelmed. Our mother’s picture and her moment of honour were awesome. Something we will never forget. Thank you so much for all of this,” she said.
Following is the text of the letter read at the Thursday evening’s vigil held at the Salvation Army Church in Stephenville:
My name is Sharon Mujica, I come from a family of seven, grew up on the Port au Port Peninsula surrounded by a loving family. I have three brothers and three sisters.
On August 24 1994 while I was home on vacation, our lives were torn apart.
Our mother Josephine Felix, was killed by a drunk driver. She was just 53.
Our family and everyone that knew her were devastated.
My sister Bridget drove my mother, our brother Mark and a friend to a campsite to pick up some belongings, left there a few days earlier. As they passed Romains Road in Port au Port East, heading toward Stephenville, out of nowhere a car driving at a speed of 120 km/h on a 60 km/h route, tried to pass the Cavalier that my younger sister was driving.
Because he was drunk, he didn’t see the oncoming traffic. He pulled back trying to get behind the cavalier, instead hit the back end of the car at a tremendous amount of speed, swinging the car around 180 degrees and smashing it into a concrete barrier on the bridge.
Our mother was killed instantly. My brother Mark, my sister Bridget and friend critically injured.
I will never forget how I heard the news. I was at the baseball field waiting for the return of my family; instead I saw my Uncle Benny and Aunt Laverne quickly coming toward me with this awful look on their face, a look I had never seen before. The look made me very nervous.
They told me there was an accident. The car that my sister was driving was in an accident and I should hurry home, then to the hospital. I saw tears and fear in their eyes. I knew they where trying to protect me by not giving me all the details.
I rushed home and called a cab to head to the hospital. It seemed to take forever till the cab arrived. While driving to the hospital the traffic seemed to be very busy, this was unusual for that area. I thought ok, someone got injured and all they have to do is bandage them up and we will take them home.
Until I saw the car; driving past it, I felt like I was in a dream, everything moved in slow motion. I knew something terrible had happened. The Jaws of Life ripped the car apart and the back was pushed to the front. I started to panic now. How could anyone survive this? My god, how about if someone was killed, who would it be? What happened?
When we arrived at the hospital, I jumped from the car and I don’t remember who I met at the hospital, but I was told that my mother was dead. My sister was injured and my brother critical. I couldn’t believe it, in fact I swore at the priest that tried to comfort me. I was very angry, angry with God and angry at the lies they were telling me. I remember screaming and kicking what ever was near me. I wanted to see my mother, the mother who was there for me all my life; the mother who supported and took care of us.
I was lead into a room where my uncle and aunt were already waiting, I was a broken human being, seeing my mother lying there not breathing, not being able to talk to her to tell her I love her. From that point I thought I was in a nightmare and wanted to wake from it all. Nothing seemed real ...
The driver of the other vehicle didn’t have a driver’s licence due to two previous convictions of drunk driving. No insurance on the vehicle and 15 other offences on his record.
This drunk driver stepped out of his car, with a bump on his head and walked away. He had an opened case of beer in the passenger’s seat, and left the scene of the accident; didn’t even bother to help my dying family in the other car. Just walked away ...
Our mother was a single mother of seven, lived for her children and family. She was the glue that kept everyone together. She deserved to live a happy and long life. Grow old and love her grandchildren. That was all taken away from her and from our family.
The drunk driver received 8.5 years and served almost six. Not enough! His driver’s licence was taken away forever. After serving six years he was transferred to a halfway house in Ontario, where he ran away to his hometown in Newfoundland. He was then caught driving without a license and he was also drinking.
Our family has suffered tremendously, but has come to heal ourselves a little each year. With the help of MADD, we thank you, for your support. We thank our Uncle Benny, mom’s brother, whom she loved dearly; his wife Aunt Laverne who she would visit every day for tea; Tracy for the strength and support; our Aunt Isabelle who was a special sister to my mother. We thank them for their support and never forgetting our mother, their sister, Josephine Felix.
