With profound sorrow and a heavy heart, I address this letter to your news platform today. The tragic accident on Friars Hill Road last Friday claimed the life of my dear friend, Brenton Bristol, and the pain of his loss grows more unbearable with each passing day. It feels surreal—one moment, he was among us, brimming with vitality, kindness, and dreams for the future, and in the next, he was gone forever. Brenton was not just a name in a news headline; he was a cherished friend who brought light to ordinary days. He was the person who could always be relied upon for a smile, a helping hand, or a hearty laugh when it was needed most. His sudden departure has left those who loved him grappling with the incomprehensible loss of such a vibrant soul, all because of an animal wandering onto the road. As I mourn, my grief is intertwined with frustration. This is not the first life lost on our roads under similar circumstances. How many more friends, siblings, parents, and loved ones must we bury before meaningful change is enacted? How many more families must endure the heartbreak of that devastating phone call? Every time I drive past stretches of road where animals roam freely, I cannot help but wonder whose life might be next. Brenton deserved better, and so do we all. Roads should not be death traps where drivers are forced to choose between swerving into danger or colliding with animals they had no chance to avoid. This tragedy compels us to confront a painful but essential question: How many more lives must be lost before we take decisive action to prevent such accidents? I write this letter not only to honor my friend’s memory but also in the hope that his death will not become just another statistic. I hope that the authorities and our community will finally address the dangers that have been overlooked for far too long. No one should have to endure the agony of mourning a loved one in this way again. Grieving, Javorne Moore
LETTER | Another Life Lost: When Will We Act on Animals in the Road?
