I don’t want to set the tone of this site to be one of grieving or loss.
However, that is a part of life and a large part of our family and tribe’s experience over the past couple of years. The site could not be a useful reflection of the tribe without mentioning the events of July 25, 2009.
A Hoogterp family reunion is held annually in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near Gould City. This involves a diverse gathering, originally centered around Dorothy Hoogterp, but a large and diverse group, driven in large part by her open and inclusive nature.
As in many such gatherings, groups large and small will walk the local area to get exercise, see the beautiful scenery, and share conversation with others at the reunion. Having been on many such walks, I can attest that the groups are always mindful of where they are in relation to cars, walking toward traffic (to always be seen and see oncoming cars) and getting onto the shoulder as cars approach. There are usually kids along, so everyone is historically quite sensitive to the safety issues. In any walk I’ve ever been on in the evening, several people would have flashlights, easily seen from a long distance.
I am about to briefly describe a tragic event on one of these walks on July 25, 2009. I was at the reunion and had been on several similar walks that year. I wasn’t on this particular walk, mainly because I’d taken a long walk with one of my sisters just a few hours earlier. I was at the scene about ten minutes after the event.
On July 25, 2009, an otherwise very pleasant day of that year’s reunion, a group of over 20 people at the reunion took a walk up the rural road in the evening. A driver, traveling in the same direction as the group, who would normally be on the opposite side of the road, crossed the center line, momentarily touched the shoulder behind the group – note on the opposite side of the driver’s proper lane – and careened through part of the group. The driver left the scene and was apprehended the following morning by police.
Many people were hit and thrown into a ditch and on around the shoulder – on the opposite side from the lane intended for his direction of travel. The review and road markings by the police clearly show the impacts were all near the opposite shoulder for his direction of travel. Several people were injured directly by impact with his car, others were injured by people or animals that were thrown into them.
Sara Dobbrastine, 24, of Kent City, MI and Julie Hatch, 31, of Durham, N.C. were both pronounced dead the evening of the accident. Jonel Hoogterp, 26, also of Durham, N.C., but originally from nearby Engadine, died from severe injuries several days later, without regaining consciousness.
Among the remaining group, everyone survived, but many suffered severe injuries that take months to years to fully heal. A few cherished dogs were also killed, with their leashes possibly contributing to others being pulled into contact with the vehicle.
The psychological impact and effects on the group on the walk are, of course, very strong. There is incredible support in the family, but nothing can quickly release much of the agony and distress, except time and gentle support of loved ones.
The effects on the extended tribe are also very deep and strong. The shape of the grief and trauma varies with each individual, from the parents and fiance’s of those killed, to those most injured and their support network, to all the other loved ones both at the reunion and around the globe.
The emotional crater may fade with time, but will never be filled. For each of us, there is both the grief and sadness we feel individually for the loss, as well as the grief and sadness for those grieving around us. There has been progress in the almost two years since, and the trends are in a good direction, but the wound will last a long time. For some, it still remains acutely present to this day.
I’ll avoid speculating much on state of mind, motive, or lack thereof, of the driver. It is clear the driver was not in control of his vehicle. Evidence was presented that he was traveling well above the legal speed limit. He had substance abuse issues previously and, I believe, was operating outside of his license restrictions. His blood test wasn’t administered until the next morning, so its results can be argued (at least legally). He ultimately plead guilty to charges agreed with the state and is in prison for a long time. I’ve never heard an explanation of the events from the driver, only second hand, that he was “sorry for what happened.” I think prison was an appropriate outcome. His prison sentence doesn’t heal anyone killed, injured, or their loved ones, though still much better than him not going to prison – both in the minds of the tribe and to protect others from similar events.
There are many more angles and much depth of this experience that I’ve not presented here. I doubt I’ve even scratched the surface. I felt this event needed to be on the site, but wanted to keep it high level. If others want to add color or depth, or their personal perspective, it can certainly be posted as well.
There is incredible love and perseverance in this extended family / tribe. We all wish the best to those involved, both directly and indirectly, and hope days keep getting better as time marches forward.
