Aaron's Story

Hi everyone,

This post is not going to be light or happy.

It will  break your heart.

It will make you angry and it will scare you.

Last night, my son attended the premiere screening of a documentary titled

1:36

This documentary was about his friend, Aaron Pennywell.

Aaron was killed by a drunk driver in 2011.

He had just turned 20 years old.

The following videos are trailers for the Caten Hyde documentary.

The title refers to the time that the first 911 call came in from the crash scene.

I'll never forget that night.

Our neighbor's son called and asked where our son was.

A Mustang very similar to our son's was involved in a terrible wreck close to home.

Our son was out of town, but those few seconds of terror hit me hard.

 We found out the next day that it was Aaron.

I cannot begin to imagine the Pennywell's grief.

They continue the fight to stop this from happening to other families,

and so I join them in spreading Aaron's story, in the hope that doing so will save lives.

It's St. Patrick's Day and our kids are on Spring Break,

both times when there are very high numbers of intoxicated people on the roads.
Perhaps you will go out and have a few green beers today.
No judgement here.
Enjoy your celebration, but please don't get behind the wheel of a car.
Decide beforehand who will be the designated driver.

Please share with your loved ones, friends and on your blogs and/or FB if you feel called to do so.
Talk to your kids and keep talking.
They think it could never happen to them.
You might think it could never happen to you.
It could.

Aaron was right around the corner from home.

Thank you, Aaron.
Your story continues to save lives.

Your light still shines.
You aren't forgotten.
Thank you to the Pennywell family for sharing Aaron's story at schools and churches.
Aaron's car is a real life and death image of the consequences of driving under the influence.
I do not know how you find the strength to look at it,
but I do know that it has an enormous impact when it is on display in the community.
I know it has made a difference.
The work you do in your son's name is saving lives.

The entire documentary is showing at select film festivals.

It will show at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival

on April 14, 2013 at 7PM.

Check Caten's site for updates.

Caten, you did a wonderful thing for your friend and his loved ones.

Aaron and some friends.
This photo is adorable.

Another group of Aaron's friends have tattoos as a reminder

and in his memory.

I hope you'll share, my friends.