Family Honors Pedestrian Accident Victim By Finishing His Daily Walk
FAWN TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- It was a devastating loss for a local family when a man out for a walk was run down by a car.
It was a path John Walters walked every day, but this time he didn't come home. Now, more than two months later, his family and dozens of friends banded together near the crash site to finish that walk.
The special memorial was called John's Journey.
Walters was tragically killed in Fawn Township on June 11 while he was walking a path he took daily. It was a path that quickly turned deadly.
"When he left that morning he said, 'I'll see you in a little while. You better have breakfast ready,'" said Debbie Walters, John's wife.
Those were the last words she heard from her husband. The 62-year-old then left his home walking along the side Howes Run Road when a driver, under the age of 18, hit Walters, killing him.
On Saturday night, family and friends completed Walters intended path that day, a two-mile walk that was filled with emotion.
"It's probably the best thing that's ever happened to me right now. I have two beautiful girls and just doing this for my dad means a lot," said Kerri Lobaugh, the victim's daughter. "He just needs to be brought back home and finish his walk."
Walter's brother, Ed, came up with the idea to remember a man who filled the hearts of so many he spoke with during his decade of walking along the path.
"He did a lot of walking," said Ed. "He talked to people when he walked, so he met a lot of people. It was great to just see this many people turn out."
With each step they were walking towards some sort of closure. And the family says John's spirit is still there.
"Definitely and he's here, always," said Debbie.
To date, no charges have been filed against the driver. Officials with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office say the case is still under investigation.
RELATED LINKS:
Man Dies After Being Hit By Car In Fawn Twp. (6/11/13)
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