Barberton teen dies in crash after car hits tree

DEAD AT 17

Agony claws my mind. I am a statistic. When I first got here I felt very much alone. I was overwhelmed by grief, and I expected to find sympathy. I found no sympathy. I saw only thousands of others whose bodies were as badly mangled as mine. I was given a number and placed in a category. The category was called "Traffic Fatalities."

The day I died was an ordinary school day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was too cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of Mom. "Special favor," I pleaded. "All the kids drive." When the 2:50 p.m. bell rang, I threw my books in the locker ... free until tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot, excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss.

It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off ‑ going too fast, taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard a crash and felt a terrific jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.

Suddenly, I awakened. It was very quiet. A police officer was standing over me. I saw a doctor. My body was mangled. I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn't feel anything. Hey, don't pull that sheet over my head. I can't be dead. I'm only 17. I've got a date tonight. I'm supposed to have a wonderful life ahead of me. I haven't lived yet. I can't be dead.

Later I was placed in a drawer. My folks came to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom's eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly looked very old. He told the man in charge, "Yes, he's our son."

The funeral was weird. I saw all my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They looked at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked by.

Please, somebody ‑ wake me up! Get me out of here. I can't bear to see Mom and Dad in such pain. My grandparents are so weak from grief they can barely walk. My brother and sister are like zombies, They move like robots. In a daze. Everybody. No one can believe this. I can't believe it, either.Please, don’t bury me! I'm not dead! I have a lot of living to do! I want to laugh and run again. I want to sing and dance. Please‑don't put me in the ground! I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I'll be the most careful driver in the whole world. All I want is one more chance. Please, God, I'm only 17.

Cindy, I was so sorry to hear about your son's accident today, it absolutely broke my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

This is such a horrible shame. I only wish our teenagers would listen to us more when we warn them about the dangers of life. I pray for his family and that they make it through this.

RIP

I'm lost for words after reading this article. Be strong Jordan family. I'll pray for you.

My prayers are with your family. Only God can help your pain... with time. I hope all parents of teens have them read this story.... what a loss.........

"He was talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone when the accident happened, his mom, Cindy, said."

"He was talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone when the accident happened, his mom, Cindy, said."

This is not my opinion. This is a direct letter-for-letter quote from the article.

Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. I cannot even begin to imagine.

prayers are with his family and friends...

It is my prayer that you find comfort and knowing that your son is absent from this life and present with the Lord. My prayers are with you

A teribble tragedy. My prayers to the family.

Prayers wrote:

It is my prayer that you find comfort and knowing that your son is absent from this life and present with the Lord. My prayers are with you

AMEN

See that??? TALKING ON A CELL PHONE and lost control. Too bad this kid lost his life but let this be a lesson to others who cannot drive and use the cell phone at the same time.

I'm sure not going to try to quarterback this one. The bottom line is that a young man died before his time and that is a tragedy.

No one can say the cell phone conversaton played a part but let's face it - we've all been cut off or what have you by people on their cell phones. We've watched people go through red lights and intersections, oblivious to what they are doing. Cell phones cause a distraction that people just don't want to admit to. My favorites are the people who nearly cause an accident and then laugh at you or get mad at you like it's your fault and they have every right to be on a cell phone and not give a care about what's happening on the road. Like we owe it to them to watch out for them and give them the right of way.

i knew zack he was a nice guy he worked with my brother jeremy and we went to the same church im sad that he is gone but he is in a better place.

This just breaks my heart. I am an Insurance Claims Adjuster (I know, alot people hate us, but hear me out). I have dealt with countless tragedies like this for several years. I've had to deal with the severe injruries sustained by the people in the vehicle that the inexperienced driver slammed in to. I've stood in towyards, having to inspect twisted heaps of metal covered in blood and brain matter. We actually have to get a series of hepatitis shots in case we come in contact with contaminated blood. Summertime is dreaded as much as winter weather in the insurance business. Because of young, inexperienced drivers out on the road for the first time. WE ALL DID IT..I know. But for the grace of God I am still here. I don't have children, but if I did I would do my best to make sure they understood the ramifications of driving recklessly, not wearing seat belts, etc. Parents cannot be with their children 24/7. Several people that graduated from HS with me have died from senseless accidents like this. It's heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I hope and pray that his friends and classmates learn from his tragedy and don't allow this to happen again.

So sorry to hear it. It's very strong of the family to warn others with this, in the midst of it all. It's a very good warning - it's so true. Cell phone and/or speeding it's all the same foundation of the message from the family. Neither is ok, definitely. However, to whoever wrote about "*people who**can't* do two things at once" what message is that supposed to convey? The message is straight across the board - not for just "some people." I'm very glad nobody else on the road was caught in this, but what a tragedy. Prayers and sympathy for his family and loved ones.

I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words to ease your pain, no gestures which will comfort you. Zack is now part of His heavinly family. God doesn't make mistakes. There is a reason far beyond our understanding. We don't have to like it or understand it--just accept it, which is the tough part. I will keep you in my prayers. It sounds like Zach was a wonderful young man who touched those around him with joy. Remember to live like he would of wanted you to.

Im so sorry for your loss. I do hope other kids will think twice before flying down Rexhill Rd. Ilost 4 of my friends in high school on that road due to auto accidents. My prayers are with you and your family. God Bless