Hello, my name is Tara, I’m a wife, Mom (we have a 5 year old son) sister, daughter and Auntie.

 

In May 2021 my life changed forever due to a traumatic car accident that involved a fatality. I have been diagnosed with a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD. I endured months of physio for my hand/wrist, and whiplash, massage therapy, acupuncture, and I am continuing to see a Psychotherapist for the significant trauma/PTSD this has caused.

 

I left my home to get a tea at the Tim Horton’s around 9:30 pm on a Friday night. It’s only a 3 min drive from our house and we frequent it often. My husband had fallen asleep putting our little guy to bed, so I left without telling him - thinking I’d wake him up after I got home. On the way back from Timmy’s I was hit by what felt like a freight train. I had no idea what happened or even what hit me. I saw nothing. I could hear that high pitched racing scream of a speeding sport bike. All of my airbags deployed. My car was pushed approx 20 feet from the intersection to a field. A motorcycle that was excessively speeding plowed into me, sadly he died on the scene. I am lucky to be alive. Nothing short of a miracle.

 

I am not at fault according to the police, and wasn’t charged with anything. Not even a traffic violation, I was law abiding, he was not. Turns out he had no license, no insurance and it’s estimated he was doing 160-250 km/hr in a 60 zone (aka street racing).

 

Even more frustrating, this person was facing multiple charges from 18 days prior to my accident. According to the Police on April 27th he was passing vehicles in the curb lane - an unmarked police vehicle spotted him and the motorcyclist attempted to pass the unmarked police car and struck the police officers fender. The officer noticed that the plate was bent and unreadable. A second police officer attended the location of the collision and while attempting to speak with the driver he turned the motorcycle on and revved the engine in an attempt to flee. He was arrested as the officers were able to prevent him from fleeing the scene. Officers determined (at that time 3 weeks before my accident) that he was a prohibited driver (not allowed to drive anything) and the license plate was allegedly home made. He was charged with operation while prohibited, fail to stop at scene of accident, no insurance, no license, attempt to pass, fail to apply for permit to become owner and using a defaced plate.

 

As a result of this accident I require psychological therapy for significant PTSD and suffer from TBI (traumatic brain injury) symptoms. I have to wear my sunglasses all the time, even in the house because of bright lights, I am completely overwhelmed by sounds, and things that trigger flashbacks. I was in complete physical and psychological shock for months where I could barely function let alone take care of my child. I have significant memory and concentration issues, all the PTSD symptoms, migraines, muscle aches, severe anxiety and depression. This has negatively affected not only myself but my entire family. Our SUV was totaled and a complete write off. We had worked SO hard to pay off our vehicle and now we’ve had to purchase another vehicle and have a car payment. All while in the midst of COVID, being off work on Short Term Disability - I’ve applied for Long Term disability which is only 66% of my wages. This accident has negatively impacted me, my emotional well being, it’s impacted my family, my finances, my employment, etc. I have difficulty sleeping, significant triggers (like when I hear a sport bike I freeze) I am petrified to drive and when I do drive or sit in a car with someone I am on edge feeling like at any moment we are going to be hit, I’ve got a heightened startle response so any unexpected noise I jump through the roof and feel agitated and fearful. I’m unable to cope with any stress, have exaggerated reactions, extreme fatigue, I’m isolating myself from friends and family that love me and want to help. Struggling with intrusive memories 

 

To compound things, I also have lupus, which is difficult to manage with these added stressors. The PTSD is also extremely difficult due to previous traumas in my life - my friend was murdered on my 20th birthday (23 years ago) and so this new accident trauma has brought the old trauma to the surface again. I am really struggling.

 

I am happy to be alive, but it seems so unfair that I was doing nothing wrong and this persons actions (speeding excessively, being a prohibited driver he shouldn’t have even been on the road / had no license and no insurance) have caused so much pain and suffering.

 

I would truly appreciate any help you can offer to help me get back on my feet financially. Thank you for listening and allowing me to share my story. My condolences to the family of the deceased.