Chattanooga Pulse

Just before Christmas I heard that a friend of mine from many moons ago was struck and killed by an “alleged” drunk driver as she walked across the street to work one morning. That friend was Susan Berry Wood.

Susan and I graduated from Hixson High School together back in 1985. And even though I really hadn’t seen her since, I remember Susan as if we’d cut up in French class just yesterday. She was bright, extremely funny and had one of those glowing personalities that just made you smile every time you saw her.

Her laid-back, silly approach to the task of high school mimicked that of most of the people we ran around with back then. Whether we considered ourselves “above it” or were just trying to make the best of the situation, we “cool” kids saw the juvenile daily grind of the Breakfast Club years steeped in hilarious moments. And like me, Susan took advantage of every opportunity to laugh at it all.

Thinking back, I don’t think there’s a single Wildcat from the mid-eighties who could say they didn’t know or like Susan. She was just plain awesome. That’s why I’m sure there are many like me grieving our old friend right now.

As soon as I had a diploma in hand, I left high school and never looked back. I did attend our twentieth reunion a few years ago and sadly can’t remember whether or not I ran into Susan. One thing I do remember was the table of photographs of everyone in our class who’d passed away since graduation. And it saddens me to think that her picture will be there next time.

Her death was senseless, but it can serve to remind us of the fragile and precious nature of life.  She was merely 42 years old—only half way through the big haul. To me, we’re not yet at the age where death should be an option. Bad accidents just don’t happen to people our age. Or at least they shouldn’t.

That’s why I can’t fully understand the circumstances of her death. The “alleged” driver of the car which “allegedly” hit her (I’m being careful not to give the defense attorneys any reason to think the media has already reached a verdict) told police they’d stayed up drinking all night. Why the hell would someone stay up drinking until 7 a.m. on a Tuesday? I guess the same kind of loser who’s stupid enough to get behind the wheel of a car afterwards.

Without being judge and jury here, I think the person found responsible for this senseless act should meet a harsh punishment that will forever change their life—much like the devastating way they changed the lives of Susan’s husband and her two kids.

But I assume that whatever happens in court, this person will never forget what they did to an innocent wife and mother, just two days before Christmas. I’m sure that if they have any sort of conscience at all, it will be tormented until the day they die.

For everyone else, this tragedy should teach us some valuable lessons. First of all, drinking and driving is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all cost. Taxis are cheap and yes, there are plenty serving Chattanooga.

Secondly, the traffic logistics of Fourth Street need to be reexamined very closely. Having witnessed so many near-misses between pedestrians and cars trying to beat the yellow lights, I would say that if any street in downtown Chattanooga needs speeding and traffic light photo enforcement, it’s Fourth Street. And, it wouldn’t hurt to shorten the green lights to slow down the constant traffic and extend the length of the walk signs to enable safer foot traffic across the street’s six lanes.

But most importantly, the death of Susan Berry Wood should remind us that anyone can disappear from our lives at any moment. So let people know how you feel about them. Hug often. Kiss more often. And never take situations to spend time with those you love for granted. Life is short. But if you’re anything like Susan, you’re living it to the fullest.

Chuck Crowder is a local writer and general man about town. His opinions are just that. Everything expressed is loosely based on fact, and crap he hears people talking about. Take what you just read with a grain of salt, but pepper it in your thoughts. And be sure to check out his popular website www.thenoog.com