Chelsey

It’s too early to definitively identify the contributing factors leading to the death of Chelsey Northup, but what is a known (and legitimately suspected) point to a lesson for us all.

Here’s the story: Saline woman, 21, dies in crash after distracted driver crosses centerline

Here’s some back-story: Chelsey was working her way through college, could brighten any room with her smile, worked as a server and, upon turning 21, a bar keeper. Chelsey had hundreds of Facebook friends and has been memorialized with this wonderful line:

You knew if Chelsey was there, you were going to laugh.

New advertisements decry “buzzed driving” and warn against the distractions of texting while driving. In this case, Mr. Garrett Roe said he was reaching for his phone, looked up, and saw that he was in the oncoming lane of traffic. That would have been Chelsey’s lane.

It's more than possible that Mr. Roe and Chelsey had met prior to Sunday evening – his insurance office was about a half mile from the restaurant where Chelsey worked and – according to some patrons I know – he was a regular. If they had met before the crash, I expect (and hope) that her bright and dancing eyes will forever be on his conscience.

I wasn’t close with Chelsey, but certainly knew her and know her sister. This is a sad story and carries lessons for us all.