29-year-old Walter Tendai Chidyausiku is facing intoxication manslaughter charges for the death of 10-year-old Tavian Sabur in a horrific Arlington accident that occurred late Thursday evening.
Tavian was riding with his mother when the Honda Accord he was in came up on the four-way stop at Nathan Lowe Road and Petra Drive. After stopping, Tavian’s mother took the right of way and entered the intersection, only to be broadsided by Walter’s westbound SUV. Walter had failed to stop at the stop sign; instead, he had driven full-speed and slammed into Accord.
Tavian was rushed to Medical Center of Arlington and later taken by CareFlite to Cook Children’s Medical Center. Unfortunately, the blunt trauma caused by the accident was too severe, and the fifth-grader passed away at 4:26 am Friday morning. The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office ruled his death a “homicide caused by multiple blunt trauma suffered in the wreck,” as the Star Telegram reports. Tavian’s mother was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital and treated for non life-threatening injuries.
This devastating accident should serve as a reminder that driving drunk can have permanent consequences. MADD reports that regular offenders drive intoxicated an average of 87 times before getting caught. From a birds-eye view, it’s easy to see how people who have done it once or twice and gotten home safely can start to become calloused to the danger they put themselves and others in. Tragedies like Thursday’s accident awaken us to the harsh reality that poor choices catch up.
MADD advocate Jim Bar knows full well the destructive impact drunken driving can have. On his way home from a business trip, he was t-boned crossing an intersection. After spending eight weeks in ICU, Jim went through extensive rehabilitation to learn to walk, speak, and perform other daily activities again. Jim and car accident attorney Jeff Rasansky partnered together for April’s Walk Like MADD events in Irving and Fort Worth. Watch a video about the event and hear Jim’s story by clicking here.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Tavian Sabur. MADD offers services at no charge to families going through these situations. Look them over here and and consider contacting the DFW MADD branch.
Drive safely, Dallas.
