Get well soon, Dr. Van Durme

A community member is in the hospital because of a traffic crash. Please pray for him &/or send good thoughts and vibes.

4/29/23

Earlier today, I biked over to Publix to pick up some flowers. It’s actually a nice ride from Midtown if you go through Levy Park and then enter through the side.

After locking my bike, I walked to the flowers section. I looked around and tried to find ones that said “I’m sorry, but I hope this helps”, while also battling rising sorrow.

I was picking up flowers for Dr. Van Durme, a local professor I met while volunteering in the Providence neighborhood.

Dr. Van Durme (top row in the middle with a gray cap). Photo from the Providence Neighborhood Association.

Unfortunately, he was in a traumatic traffic crash a couple of weeks ago. He was struck by a car while traveling down West Pensacola Street. He was in a motorcycle.

A lot of you who read this newsletter either ride a bike yourself or know someone who does, so I know I’m not alone in saying: one of my biggest fears is losing my loved one in a traffic crash. I can only imagine how devastating it is to receive a phone call about your loved one and learn they became unconscious after they got in a crash on their way home from work.

Traffic crashes and shootings are just way too common in this city. We can’t let these common yet abnormal incidents normalize death or stop us from trying to put an end to these senseless accidents and deaths.

Please send prayers and/or good thoughts and vibes to Dr. Van Durme and his family. ❤️ If you’re interested in updates on his progress, please check here. And if you’d like to help end traffic crashes in Tallahassee, please get involved with Vision Zero.

PS: These are the flowers I ended up getting. I delivered them on behalf of the Providence Neighborhood Association, where I serve as a Friend.

Stay safe,

Shelby