Why We Walk

Carolyn L. Simpkins

Home City: Clovis, CA

Crash Anniversary: February 1,2001

“February 1,2001 is the day my life was changed forever. It was the day that changed my whole world. After that day I would never be the same. That evening a man from Oklahoma made the choice to get behind the wheel 3x over the legal limit and ripped my whole world apart in a split second. My mom (Carolyn L. Simpkins) was driving home in her brand new Chrysler Concorde after being out with friends after work and visiting my uncle and aunt. She was less than 2 blocks from her house when he crossed over the median in  his lifted Dodge truck and plowed over her killing her instantly. That’s exactly what he did. He killed her!! He is the reason why she never got to see me get married. Why we never got to experience all of life’s milestones. Why she never got to meet her grandchildren. Why my sons and nieces never got to meet their grandma. Because of his choice to drive while intoxicated.

This next February will be 20 yrs since I heard my moms voice. Some say time heals wounds, well this wound never heals. It never gets better or goes away. You just learn how to live through it. You have a new normal and you continue on. One thing that has helped me and gives me motivation is MADD. I love my Fresno MADD family. They have and are a big support for me. It’s a family that I wish I would of never met but I’m grateful I’ve met them too!! It’s time we stop this 100% preventable crime from hurting more families. Think before you Drink and be safe!”

-Stacey Gomes (Loving daughter)