Lucy Harrison

My big brother, Peter, was killed on 29th November 2014.  He crossed the road, yards from his flat, and was hit by a driver who was doing 93mph on a 40mph road. 

The driver left the scene, stopping one-third of a mile away, to switch seats with his girlfriend, as he knew he was not insured. Peter was 39. His life ended, suddenly and unexpectedly, on the roadside. Peter’s body was retained for weeks while a second post-mortem was considered. I felt the driver took my brother’s life and then stripped him of dignity in death too. 

Sitting down on Christmas Day, knowing my brother remained in a morgue broke something within me, which will never heal.

Life felt wretched. It was impossible to convey everything that was going around my mind. I couldn’t talk to anyone. I wanted to be strong for my family and felt friends just couldn’t understand, despite their best efforts. 

The moment I first attended the RoadPeace West Midlands Support Group is the moment the heaviness in my heart began to lift, just a little. I am now so proud to be the group coordinator. The bond between us all is so special; none of us wanted to be a part of this family, but now we are, we are there for each other, always.

Eight years on, life is happier but I miss Peter and think of him every day. I know our group is my safe space, to cry, to laugh, to remember.