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Young man dies in tragic DUI accident - but his final Facebook post spreads hope
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Hours after posting a message on his Facebook page, Matthew DeRemer was killed when he went out on New Year's Eve -and his final words have since gone viral.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
1/5/2016 (9 years ago)
Published in Marriage & Family
Keywords: Matthew DeRemer, New Year's Eve, DUI, Facebook, message
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Steven Lee Clarke was involved in a car accident on New Year's Eve. He had enjoyed a little too much alcohol and crossed an intersection with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.
That was when his car crashed into Matthew DeRemer, who was riding a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle.
Sadly, DeRemer died at the scene of the crash.Fifty-nine-year-old Clarke was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County jail before being charged with a DUI and manslaughter.
Though the preventable incident was tragic, it is by no means uncommon.
According to the CDC, nearly thirty people in the United States are killed in car crashes involving alcohol abuse, which measures out to one death every 51 minutes.
What makes DeRemer's death stand out was the final message he left on his Facebook page, which read:
"Last day of 2015!!!! For me I'll be meditating through all I do, on this entire year. I've lost, I've gained, family is closer and tougher than ever before, loved ones lost, and new friends found.
"There has been many times where I've been found on my knees in prayer for hours (relentless) and other times leading a group of people in prayer, my faith (that I love to share) is an everyday awakening (to me) that people, lives, and circumstances can change for the better OVER TIME."I look back at 2015's huge challenges that I've overcome, shared with others, and have once again found myself... To say thank you and BRING ON 2016, much works to be done! And I really don't know where I'll end up tonight but I do know where I windup is where I'm meant to be 😋."
The message accompanied an image of the saying, "We are born in 1 day. We die in 1 day. We can change in 1 day. And we can fall in love in 1 day. Anything can happen in just 1 day."
The message and image expressed his hope for the new year as well as showcased his enthusiasm and positive attitude toward life.
Following his fatal accident, DeRemer's friends began to share his message. As of January 5, 1:45 pm, the post has been shared 44,937 times.
DeRemer's sister, Lynsey DeRemer, told NBC News he was a Marine until 2010 and worked as a physical trainer until he found a job as a surgical technician.
The siblings had been raised in church but in just the last year he had grown closer to God, and was even an officer in a Christian motorcycle group.
"We knew he had a very big personality," she said. "He was like a magnet for people. But to see the kind of testimony he had, it does give us peace."
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