I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “Thank you, Jesus!” in the last 24 hours. Yesterday my friend, Natalie, was hit head on by a drunk driver here in San Antonio. She had just gotten off work and PRAISE GOD she did not have her two beautiful children with her. And DOUBLE PRAISE GOD she is ok! She’s very shaken up, bruised and sore but miraculously no broken bones or other injuries. It really has made me think about how much can change in the blink of an eye. One of my biggest fears is getting in a car wreck and Luke being with me. You never know who is driving next to you on the roads.

Since hearing this news yesterday it really makes me so grateful for her as well as my other amazing friends. I don’t know what I’d do if something ever happened to one of us.

Natalie was kind enough to share these shocking pictures that her co-workers took at the crash to raise awareness about drunk driving. Her car is the white Tahoe. Please look at these pictures and think about them before you ever consider drinking and driving.

UPDATE: Please read the following note from Natalie…

I’m not sure what God’s plan is for me, but I know because of Him I walked away from this with only minor injuries. I now plan to get involved in awarness groups involving drunk driving. I’m not sure where to start, or what impact I might have, but I know getting involved is the right thing to do.

If anyone has any suggestions for me on how to get involved I welcome their input!

Thanks again for the prayers!

4

2

3

This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori

31 Responses

  1. Natalie

    Thank you Tori for sharing this story. I’m not sure what God’s plan is for me, but I know because of Him I walked away from this with only minor injuries. I now plan to get involved in awarness groups involving drunk driving. I’m not sure where to start, or what impact I might have, but I know getting involved is the right thing to do.

    If anyone has any suggestions for me on how to get involved I welcome their input!

    Thanks again for the prayers!

    Reply
  2. Jackie Kirkindoll

    So Thankful Natalie is OK. And the drunk driver is fortunate to have his life. People do not realize that “their choices” can affect other innocent lives!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you Jackie! I’m starting to feel much better!!

      Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      Thank you so much, Sara! We are all so thankful!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you Sara! I’m definitely blessed to have walked away!

      Reply
  3. lauren m.

    wow! i am praying for your friend, and i hope this does open people’s eyes. i was hit by a drunk driver when i was 16 years old and miraculously was unharmed. it’s things like that and like this that do remind me God is SO GOOD.

    Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      Lauren!! I had no clue!! I’m so glad you were ok as well. It is true….GOD IS GOOD!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Wow Lauren!! So glad you were unharmed!! Thank you for the prayers. They are greatly appreciated!

      Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      You are very welcome! Hopefully it might keep someone else from behind the wheel after drinking.

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you for the kind words. I really hope Tori’s post helps bring further awareness and maybe helps prevent others from driving drunk!

      Reply
  4. gmaj

    That just gives me cold chills! Praise God she is going to be okay.
    These types of accidents are increasing WAY too much!

    Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      They truly are happening too much around us. It’s terrifying!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      It is crazy to know how often this happens. Very sad. 🙁

      Thank you for the kind words, I’m doing much better!

      Reply
  5. Veronica Morales

    I am so happy to hear that your friend Natalie is ok. I on the other hand, lost my good friend Joe Gamez last month when he struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding his bicycle downtown. Later this month, we will be celebrating his birthday with a bike ride. Anyone is welcome to join us. We can only hope and continue to pray that people make the right decision and not get behind the wheel drunk. I am willing to help in any way to stop drunk driving so please contact me with any suggestions.

    Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      Oh my gosh, Veronica! I can’t tell you how sorry I am and saddened by this! I really appreciate you sharing this though because it’s another testimony to not drinking and driving!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Veronica, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. That is so sad. I would love to attend the bike ride but unfortunately my knee will not be healed in time. If you know of any other events around town I would love to hear about them!!

      Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      It truly was a miracle that nothing was even broken! Thank you for commenting!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m definitely on the mend!

      Reply
  6. Rachel M

    Oh my Tori, I’m so thankful your friend Natalie is ok! Prayers and thoughts being sent her way.

    Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      Thank you!! We are all so grateful! She’s home recovering.

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you so much for the prayers!! It means very much to me and my family to know so many people have prayed for us during this difficult situation. We feel very blessed!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you for the kind thoughts!! I feel so blessed to have walked away!

      Reply
  7. stacie

    I love RUI…I’d try speaking with them to see how you can help ou!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Stacie, thank you for the recommendation!! I had actually never heard of RUI but I immediately looked into it and am definitely going to see what I can do to help their organization.

      Reply
  8. Laura Heckman

    Tori…thank you for sharing. Joe and I have gotten to know all of you over the past few years and each and everyone one of Courtney and Anthony’s dear friends are very special to us. I am so very glad Natalie is all right. I can not imagine her not being in our sweet Olivia’s life! We will keep her in our prayers for recovery and praising God for his goodness!

    Reply
    • tori@torijohnsonpr.com

      Thank you so much for commenting, Laura! We are all so grateful as well! We love Courtney, Anthony and Olivia and they are so special to us as well!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Laura, thank you so much for the kind thoughts and prayers! I was so fortunate Anthony was close by and able to come hold my hand in the ambulance. Even though seeing him made me cry (as you can imagine, I was super emotional that afternoon) it was such a wonderful feeling to have my friend with me.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.