My heart goes out to you, Chris's mom, and all who knew and loved Chris. I could feel you as I read your note and shed tears just feeling you not knowing Chris. The suddenness of departure - that is what is so difficult to understand and has us in that loss place of confusion and sadness at the deepest level - trying to understand. Surround yourself with those who understand and can support you as you grieve. I wish I could just hug you.
I visited Chris's Facebook page and found re-shares of several insightful, inspiring posts that Chris wrote. This one struck me - that he wrote it less than a month ago: Chris Karson <https://www.facebook.com/chris.karson.39?fref=nf> May 16 at 7:54pm <https://www.facebook.com/chris.karson.39/posts/10155058778864852> . I don't want to be remembered for being the guy in the wheelchair, I don't want to be remembered for the guy with the fast van, I don't want to be remembered for my heartfelt writings, I want to be remembered as the individual who's life impacted you enough, to inspired you to follow your dreams whatever they might be. Whatever challenges you face or mountains you must climb, reach for the stars my friends. Be thoughtful to never step on another's dream, but instead enlighten their path to possibilities. What a blessing he was to those who path he crossed! RIP Chris! Blessings to you mom. Blessings to you. Kay From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, June 4, 2016 11:04 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [QUAD-L] Chris Karson Passes At 46 Years. My son Chris passed today. It wasn't his fault. Injured at 19 years with a C4/5 SCI injury from a vehicle crash, he went on to attend at graduated Ball State University with a degree is Family Science and Social Service. During his rehab period and while attending Ball State U, he designed, supervised the construction of North America Fastest Drag Van (10 Seconds @ 1/4 Mile). His travels in racing took him all over the Midwest. During the same period, Chris became friends with custom vans and custom vans in North America. He became a Vanner and partnered with the Midwest Vans Limited and celebrated with them at so many "truck ins" and Nationals (Nats) Chris, always found time to speak at prisons, to imates and juvenile centers with his special messages, several times a year. He inspired thousands of people over the years. Today, as he was returning from a car showing, sitting in the tow van, when his driver was towing his trailer and drag van, along with 4 other custom vanners in a convoy, his van was hit head on by a mini van driving at a high rate of speed.... the wrong way. The force of the crash caused the mini van to catch fire and the fire spread to Chris's tow van. His driver was able to escape thru the broken driver's window and was pull to safety while his van friend's tried to open the doors of the tow van and deploy the gate lift. The fire was intense. The impact forced Chris and his chair up against the lift ramp and he had a seat belt on. His friends burnt their hands and arms while trying to get Chris out of the van... to no avail and then the fire department and rescue arrived. Chris lost his life quickly, per the corners conversation to me. Its late this night and I am trying to reflex all that has happened today as well as Chris's sudden passing. You have to see his Facebook and the comments that continue to pour in from around the world as the people media reacts. You can visit his website: www.karsonracing.com and see for yourself how he inspired others. His facebook: Chris Karson. As most can tell, my heart is heavy with grief and the thousand of people he affected. Best Wishes
