When Fireman Who Killed Pregnant Mom In Accident Bumps Into Her Husband, An Unpredictable Turn Of Events Follows

Dec 20, 2018 by apost team

Forgiveness is an act of both bravery and mercy. When we hold onto hate, it can consume our lives, turning our once pleasant nature into bitterness. Sometimes the desire to hold onto past offences is too strong. It becomes easier to hate someone than it is to move on with our lives.

When we forgive someone, we give the offending person the gift of mercy but we also give ourselves permission to look to the hopes of the future. A pastor and a firefighter in Georgia exemplify the benefits that come when we grant someone forgiveness.

In 2006, firefighter paramedic Matt Swatzell was heading home from a grueling 24-hour shift. Exhausted, Matt fell asleep at the wheel for only a few seconds, but they were enough for him to veer into the opposite lane and hit another car head-on. Waiting with bated breath in the emergency room, Matt was told that the driver of the vehicle he hit, 30-year old June Fitzgerald, did not survive the crash.

Even worse, June was seven months pregnant and her unborn child was killed in the accident. Matt was devastated by the news. Speaking to Today, Matt told of how he still has vivid memories of the accident, recalling everything from the smells to the terrible noises.

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June’s death greatly pained June’s husband, Erik. Arriving at the hospital, Erik’s most important memory of the terrible situation was seeing his little girl, Faith. Then two years old, Faith had been a passenger in the car at the time of the accident. Relieved to see that Faith was unharmed, Erik recalls how the toddler crawled to sleep in his lap in the hospital waiting room.

Erik was glad the child went right to sleep so that he didn’t have to hide his emotions. After June’s funeral, law enforcement asked the aggrieved father how he wanted to proceed with the case. Facing the choice of either exacting vengeance or showing mercy, Erik chose to forgive Matt, who was punished by community service and a fine.

Almost two years to the day of the accident, Matt and Erik met in a grocery store parking. Matt was there to buy Erik a sympathy card. When the two met, they started talking, bonding over the sorrow they felt for June’s death. The two are now good friends, communicating frequently and meeting every holiday season.

What do you think of Erik granting Matt forgiveness? Have you ever chose to forgive someone who harmed you? Pass this heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale to others.