Family reflects on traffic tragedy

The entire family of Daniel and Teresa Lopez would like to say thank you for the kindness and support we have been given during this horrific time in our lives. We lost Daniel, and there is not a day that goes by that we do not feel the emptiness in our hearts. We can only pray that God has a special place in Heaven for the innocents, as he was.

We especially want to thank Daniel's classmates for the release of balloons in his honor. Thank you to Sydney Richins, principal of North Elementary School, and his favorite teacher, Chris Kalmbach, for their kindness. He did have a great smile and was happy, and brought that happiness to all of us who loved him. We miss him so much, none more than his mother, Teresa, and his father, Tony.

I know that if Daniel was alive today, he would send the message to all, as he did to my 6-year-old granddaughter, why they can never, ever get out of their seatbelts. I know personally the mental disruption that children can create,as my young passenger years ago removed her seatbelt and opened the back door before I could even pull over. I was fortunate, as she is now a beautiful 18-year-old. I wish we could have been so lucky again, but fate was not on our side on March 23 with Daniel. Please share Daniel's message to all of our young children why mom or dad cannot turn from the wheel, and why we must continue to wear our seatbelt no matter what.

Thank you for your prayers and best wishes for our family along with the family of Dan and Tami O'Neil. Teresa is continuing the long road to healing physically. The loss of Daniel will take longer, if ever, to heal.

Coral Adolphsen

Soap Lake