It Seemed Like A Normal Day, Until One Text Changed This Couple’s Lives Forever

It Seemed Like A Normal Day, Until One Text Changed This Couple’s Lives Forever

We’ve all been told by our parents and driver's ed teachers that texting and driving is extremely dangerous. When we distract ourselves with our phones, we aren’t focused on the road, and the outcome can be fatal.

There are too many stories about people being injured, or worse, because of texting and driving. Despite the countless incidences and tragic reports, people still continue to text and drive. 

Leslee Henson and her husband David went out for a walk together on March 4, 2013.

Little did they know, it was the last walk they would take together. 

The two began walking towards a golf course near their home. 

Leslee and David took a stroll along Dixie Drive in St. George, Utah. It seemed like any other normal day. 

Fred Konrath was driving down Dixie Drive that same day. 

"I was leaving our condo, pulled onto Dixie Drive, and there were no cars in sight," Konrath said in a video by the Utah Department of Public Safety's Highway Safety Office. "As I stuttered down the road I noticed a couple walking on the sidewalk. I took a glance in my rear view mirror and I saw this car coming up incredibly fast."

"Before I had a chance to even react to it...

"...the car hit me from behind and knocked my car out of control. The next thing I remember is heading towards the two walkers. What I do remember vividly is the husband, Dave, pushing his wife, trying to get her out of my way."

The driver that hit Konrath was texting and driving. 

Konrath hit both Leslee and David. David was killed on impact. 

Leslee received several injuries.

She had a fractured neck and two fractures in her back. She also had severe trauma to her head and received over 5000 stitches and staples in her head. 

Nine people are killed every day by a distracted driver. 

"We get in our cars and we put on our seat belts," said Leslee. "I feel the same should be done with cell phones. We get in our car and we turn off our cellphones, and it could save a life."

Share this story to prevent distracted driving.

Main and collage image via Love Letter Daily