Truck hits, kills father who was walking across U.S. in memory of (bullied gay) son

[Brickbat]

http://www.opb.org/news/article/lagrande-father-killed-on-walk-across-us-in-memory-of-his-son/

A truck has struck and killed an Oregon man who was walking across the country to raise awareness of bullying and suicide. Joseph Bell’s long hike was inspired by his son.

Bell started walking from his home in La Grande toward New York City after his 15 year-old son, Jadin, died by suicide in February. Jadin had been bullied for being gay.

Bell’s walk took him to the shoulder of Colorado’s highway 40 Thursday afternoon, where a truck hit him from behind.

Colorado State Patrol spokesman Josh Lewis says authorities don’t believe the driver was drunk or on drugs.

Heartbreaking.

[connecticut yankee]

1. Very tragic, but

when walking on a public road, one should always walk against oncoming traffic.

[Brickbat]

2. It's impossible to tell from the story where he was walking.

[connecticut yankee]

8. The story said

that the truck hit him from behind. If he had been facing the oncoming traffic, he might have been able to get out of the way.

It is very sad, but might have been prevented.

[Brickbat]

11. The man could have been walking facing traffic, on the left side of the road; the truck could have

swerved from the right side and hit him from behind.

[BlueJazz]

3. Aww Geez.....His friends and relatives have to endure this also.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. I'd nominate this as the single most depressing news story of the year. n/t

[Brickbat]

5. Totally agree.

[deutsey]

6. It's sure had that impact on me today, anyway

Incredibly sad.

[LuvNewcastle]

12. I'll second that. This is just too much.

[nolabear]

7. Didn't that happen to the fellow dribbling a basketball across the country as well?

Tragic.

[johnp3907]

10. Soccer ball, yes.

[Emit]

9. As a parent of a child who is gay, I have to tell you this story is heartbreaking.

I cried when I read about this earlier this weekend. The whole thing, what this family has endured, is just truly tragic. My heart goes out ...