September 16th 2024.
Zackary Blades and his dear aunty Karlene Warner were both taken from us in a tragic car accident. It was an especially heartbreaking loss for the family as it happened just before Zackary's first birthday, which would have been this month. The family has since paid tribute to the little baby boy, who was a shining light in their lives.
The accident occurred earlier this year on the A1 in County Durham. Darryl Anderson, 38, crashed into the back of Karlene's car at a shocking speed of 140mph. Zackary was in the backseat of the car and was tragically flung 160ft upon impact, causing his untimely passing. Karlene, who was driving, also lost her life at the scene of the accident. It was a devastating blow to the family, especially for Zackary's mother Shalorna, who was also in the car at the time.
Karlene had just finished her first shift as a TUI air hostess and Shalorna had picked her up from Newcastle Airport. Little did they know that this would be their last time together. The driver, Anderson, was found to be three times over the legal drinking limit and had even taken a picture of his speedometer just moments before the crash. He was ultimately sentenced to 17 years in prison for his reckless actions.
As Zackary's loved ones marked what would have been his first birthday on September 12, they came together to raise funds for a special cause. They hope to gather £70,000 to build a "Together Room" at Darlington Memorial Hospital. This room will provide families with a safe and comforting space to be together during difficult times of crisis and grief. It's a beautiful tribute to Zackary and Karlene, who are now together in spirit.
Shalorna remembers her brother as always being happy and a real "mam's boy." She says, "It is really hard. Things like this keep you busy and stop you from thinking, but the reality is that they are both not here." She takes some comfort in knowing that Karlene is now taking care of Zackary, as she always did in life. This is why the family has named their charity "Together" – because Zackary and Karlene are now together, watching over their loved ones.
Shalorna admits that being around children now is difficult for her, as she always thinks about how that could have been her son. Zackary's grandmother, Alison, 59, is also doing her part to honor her grandson and daughter. She will be embarking on a bike ride from southern France all the way back to Darlington, aptly nicknamed "Granny on a bike." Her goal is to raise more funds for the "Together Room" and bring attention to the cause.
Alison says, "This week has been the hardest week of my life since the incident. We had the funeral, court case, and sentencing. But it never felt real until we came back to the UK. Karlene would always be so excited to see me. But, the reality is that she isn't here. They both aren't here." She knows that the bike ride will be a challenge, but the real challenge for the family is learning to live without Zackary and Karlene every day.
Alison's husband Nigel is proud of her for taking on such a difficult journey. He fondly remembers Zackary as a happy and playful child, always sticking close to his mother like a little monkey. The last time he saw his grandson, he was happily sucking on his dummy and smiling. Nigel says, "Zackary was such a wonderful child." It's clear that both Zackary and Karlene were beloved members of the family and their absence is deeply felt.
In addition to their fundraising efforts, the family has also started a petition to introduce a mandatory lifelong driving ban for deaths caused by dangerous driving. The petition has gained nearly 76,000 signatures and has the support of Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, who promises to do everything she can to raise awareness and make this issue a national priority. It's a small step towards seeking justice for Zackary and Karlene, and ensuring that no other family has to suffer a similar loss.
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