Maryland State Trooper Shane Mitchell, left, crash scene / Graysonville VFD
From WCTR Feb. 6, 2014 —
Manslaughter charges filed in August Kent Narrows crash
Driver crossed center line and hit motorcycle
Last August, in the course of my duties as a Maryland State Trooper, I witnessed a horrific accident involving a motorcycle and a Nissan Versa. The driver of the Nissan was under the influence of alcohol. The two motorcycle riders were thrown and became fully engulfed in flames. The male rider was trapped between the car and motorcycle in a pool of burning fuel.
I extinguished the passenger and ran towards the blaze. I pulled the motorcycle operator out of the area and extinguished him. The passenger passed away a couple hours later. The driver survived for a few months before dying.
The late driver’s widow recently sent me a letter on behalf of their family expressing their gratitude towards me. The letter hit home because many people do not appreciate what we do day in and day out.
This letter, written to my supervisor, reminds us that we are appreciated.
Dear Corporal Williams,
This letter is long overdue. On August 11, 2013, my husband, Perry Hunter, was the victim of a drunk-driving accident. Riding with a friend on his motorcycle, he was struck head-on by a vehicle heading in the opposite direction.
Witness to the accident was Trooper Shane Mitchell, a 24-year old young man. I first spoke with Trooper Mitchell the morning following the accident. It was then that he related the details of the accident to me. Trooper Mitchell told me how he was waiting to make a turn when the accident happened in front of him.
He pulled my husband from the fire that had immediately engulfed the car, the motorcycle, and both of its riders. My husband was caught between the two vehicles, suffering multiple broken bones, and burns to 50% of his body. I still find it hard to believe that Trooper Mitchell did not suffer any burns himself when he reached in to pull my husband clear.
My husband spent 5 days at Shock Trauma and over two and a half months at Bayview’s Burn Unit. Each week Trooper Mitchell would call to inquire about his condition and how our family was coping. If, for any reason, he was unable to call within a week’s time, he apologized immediately on his next call!
The doctors at Shock Trauma told us that had Trooper Mitchell not been on the scene and acted as quickly as he did, my husband would have died there, on Route 18, without his family around him. One of the witnesses to the accident shared with us that Perry’s words to him were that he wanted to see his family, that he had to see his family.
The selfless actions of this 24-year-old gave us those precious, final moments we otherwise would not have been able to spend with Perry. As a longtime employee of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Perry received countless cards expressing best wishes and prayers for his recovery, and messages that just wanted to relate how well he was thought of and missed at work. We were able to read those messages to him and play the CDs of his favorite jazz musicians.
Perry’s sisters and aging parents were able to hold him and tell him that they loved him. Our daughters were able to assure him that they would be fine. I was able to remind him that “his girls loved him”.
This letter may not speak adequately of the bravery shown by Trooper Mitchell that Sunday evening. Perry survived almost another 3 months. The call to Trooper Mitchell was a difficult one to make. I found his words of consolation to be those of someone more seasoned and experienced than I would have expected of someone young enough to be my son. He was sympathetic and sincere, but I couldn’t help but wish, however selfishly, that the news were different, as much for his sake, as ours.
Yet, no one did more than the young man who risked his life to save another. Even though my husband did not survive, to have those last moments were important for all of us. Trooper Mitchell gave that time to us. We will always be grateful.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hunter