My cousin was killed in a single car accident last week, and as I reflect on his life and some of the unknowns surrounding his death I am sad that he never gets the chance to grow up and experience some of the great joys of life. He was 21 years old and still trying to figure things out. He had many wonderful qualities, and was a thoughtful kind person, he had lots of friends and family. I remember spending many days swimming in Mason Lake with him, camping trips, Easter egg hunts, Christmas dinners, he brought a wonderful energy to this world and to his friends and family.

As I read the following article from the Kitsap Sun, along with many of the comments people left below, it made me sad. The article infers that drinking was involved in the accident, I don't know if that is true, I don't think it was ever confirmed.
As I was thinking about the possibility that alcohol was involved it made me very upset that he would be risking his life and others lives by making such a stupid choice. I am strongly and firmly against drunk driving and I hope that is not the case, however if it was, if he did make that mistake he also paid the ultimate price, and unfortunately his family also has to pay and say good bye to him way too soon. Chris and I spent a lot of time talking last night about Jeff and the accident and the possible connection of alcohol and came to the conclusion that young people make stupid choices, I don't think too many people make it to 25 without making a dumb choice that endangers themselves or others. However, most people do get the chance to correct their choices and turn their lives around if needed, this is something Jeff doesn't get the chance to do, at least not in this life.

So then the question is... Should we hold or remember him as any less of a person because he may have made a big mistake. Absolutely not, I think that we need to remember him as a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. we all need to remember him for who he was and not a choice or two that he may have made. Heavenly Father would want us to look past all the things that are negative because it is not our place to judge him on those factors and remember him as a wonderful child of God. All of us are children of God and all of us are here on Earth to learn and grow and sometimes we learn lessons the hard way.

Enough about the article and comments that followed it. I just needed to express to whoever reads this connected to Jeff or the article, that everyone makes mistakes and those mistakes should not be held against us forever, we are on this earth to love and help each other, not to judge and condemn each other. He will never have the chance to learn from this mistake, it doesn't make his choice right, but we must remember his potential, and all the wonderful contributions he did make.

Bremerton Man Dies in Central Kitsap Crash

By Josh Farley
Kitsap Sun
Posted September 3, 2010 at 2:12 p.m.

CENTRAL KITSAP — A Bremerton man was killed late Tuesday in a one-car crash on Provost Road near NW Shelley Drive, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office identified the man as Jeffrey Wright, 21.

Wright was driving a 1988 Chevy Cavalier south on Provost Road just before 9:30 p.m. when the car left the road to the right and rolled, coming to rest on its top. Wright was pinned underneath the vehicle, deputies said, and pronounced dead at the scene.

A 36-year-old Bremerton man was riding in the car with Wright, but he was not hurt, deputies said.

Kitsap County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Merrill said neither man was wearing a seatbelt. Merrill said it appears Wright lost control of the car going through some curves just before Shelley Drive.

Alcohol and speed appear to be factors in the crash, deputies said.

Wright is the ninth person to die in a car crash on a Kitsap County road this year.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Andy Aman at (360) 337-4634.