RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--Like any mom, Katrin Trimiew so looked forward to the high school graduation of her oldest child, her son Antonio Shands.
Those of us who have seen a child graduate know those deep feelings that come with seeing your son or daughter take that first true step into adulthood.
Katrin picked up her son’s Huguenot High School diploma at the Richmond Coliseum Tuesday evening because he couldn’t, even though he came oh-so close.
He was killed not quite two weeks ago when the car he was riding in collided with a pickup at Cherokee Road and Old Westham Road in South Richmond.
Graciously, the Huguenot High School family gave Katrin her son’s diploma first. She thanked the students for all the support, the cards, “the hugs and kisses.” She told them how proud she was of them, something she and her son told each other.
It was a lesson of togetherness – all for one, one for all.
But it was also a stark reminder that car crashes claim more teens than anything else.
Each year, about 6,000 die as Antonio did - about 17 a day.
Those crashes don’t wait for graduations, or love, or marriage.
And no amount of love from mothers or fathers can stop them.
Their hearts will be forever broken as they watch their children’s friends march on through life.
Katrin said it still hasn’t sunk in yet.
But when asked if the graduation ceremony helped, she smiled and said, “A lot.”
Related Stories:
