SCARD History

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The car they had stolen was soon travelling in excess of 80 mph in a 30mph area. Neither youth gave a single thought to other road users. The 18 year old, who was driving almost immediately lost control, careering down the road at 80 mph on completely the wrong side of the road. The car narrowly missed two young boys waiting at a bus stop. It then hit Steven's car head on at a combined speed of 110mph. Steven's car was sent spinning back down the way he had come for a distance of at least 159ft. The stolen car ended up crashing into a children's playground before coming to a stop. The stolen car was on fire and the car thieves were unable to get out, so passers-by ran to their aid and the owner of the local shop ran out with his shop fire extinguisher to put out the flames. The thieves after being rescued ran away leaving Steven, my dear son, to die in his mangled car.

Well meaning people tell me that he died immediately, but how do they know?

Steven's death is something myself, my husband the rest of my family and many friend's are going to have to live with for the rest of our lives. Just because two boys, who had shown no respect for authority decided that it was okay to steal someone else's property. The younger boy has never faced any charges following the death of my son, the older boy received three years youth custody, he actually served 13 months! Life is so very cheap.

Both boys had been in court many times before their ultimate crime of killing Steven. Stealing cars, stealing property from cars and burglary offences, both were classed as habitual offenders. Both had received Police caution's, suspended sentences, probation and been placed under curfew, all of which was to no avail.

N.B. Very soon after Steven's death we identified a need for a supporting system where people who had suffered a similar bereavement, could help to support each other and in the summer of 1993 our help line was set up. Over the years we have helped support many hundreds of families all over the Country.

S.C.A.R.D eventually got it's name in 1999 when a small group of bereaved and injured met together. Members thought the name was appropriate because that's just how they felt after losing a loved one in such a violent way.

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Support and Care After Road Death and Injury.
Sponsored By LARSOA.