A truck driver who was involved in an accident that caused the death of 18-year-old girl last August has been ordered to carry around her picture, as well as a statement written by her mother, for the duration of his probation.
According to US News, the accident happened last summer in Henry County, just south of Atlanta, when a tractor trailer driven by 50-year-old truck driver Daniel Crane struck an SUV driven by 18-year-old Summer Lee on northbound Interstate 75, causing a 5 car pile-up. Summer died in the accident and 7 others were injured.
On June 22nd, Crane pleaded guilty to following another vehicle too closely and vehicular homicide. He was sentenced 60 days jail and 22 months on probation. Crane is also to carry a picture of Lee and a statement from her mother around with him everywhere he goes.
“I said to myself, ‘this fella needs also to be reminded of the fact that she forgave him and of the life that he took,'” Senior Judge Rusty Carlisle said.
“It may stay folded in his pocket and he may never look at it, but if he knows he’s got to pick it up every morning and put it in the pocket of whatever clothes he wears, then maybe that will make him think a little bit about what happened,” added Judge Carlisle.
“We were pleased when the court took an extra step to require the defendant to carry my daughter’s picture with him as well as the statement I read to the court,” Kimberly Lee, mother to Summer Lee, said in a statement.
“I believe in my heart Summer would want me to forgive you,” Lee told Crane in court, “but please know the difference in forgiving and forgetting,” she said.
Crane has already been released from jail on credit for time previously served, but must still pay over $1,500 in fines and provide at least 80 hours of community service in the next 10 months. He is also being required to visit a ‘victim impact panel’ and is no longer allowed to drive in the state of Georgia.